Rhinorhynchus rufulus is a weevil in the Nemonychidae family. It is endemic to New Zealand and was first described by Thomas Broun in 1880. This species is found in both the North, South and Stewart Islands from the sub-alpine zone down to sea-level. Adults can be observed all months of the year. Host plants of this weevil species are conifer trees including Podocarpus nivalis and Lepidothamnus laxifolius.
This species was first described by Thomas Broun in 1880 and originally named Rhinomacer rufula using a damaged specimen collected in Tairua.[1] [2] In 2003 Guillermo Kuschel discussed this species and was unable to locate the holotype specimen used by Broun to describe this species. He chose a specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London which was collected in Wellington as the neotype to replace the lost holotype.[3]
Broun originally described the species as follows:Kuschel pointed out that the above description is based on the female of the species.
This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North, South and Stewart Islands from sub-alpine altitudes down to sea-level.[4]
The host plants of this weevil are conifer tree species found in the following genera: Phyllocladus, Dacrycarpus, Dacrydium, Halocarpus, Lepidothamnus, Manoao, Podocarpus, and Prumnopitys. This weevil is commonly found on Podocarpus nivalis and Lepidothamnus laxifolius.
Adults of this species have been observed during all months of the year.