Agave Weevil
Peltophorus polymitus
Observed in Florida Canyon, Sta. Rita Mountains, Arizona, USA. 31 July 2013. Length is about 12 mm.
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All beetles, including this weevil have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Adult weevils like this one are full grown and do not change size. The hallmark of weevils are their protracted mouth parts resembling a snout. This morphology allows the female to excavate a safe cavity into the host plant where she will place her eggs. This weevil species' host are agaves, commonly known as century plants. The freshly chewed cavity in the photo might become a repository for eggs. On hatching, the egg releases a tiny larva that is build for tunneling through the plant, worm like. When the larva reaches full size before pupating. Finally a new weevil ecloses from the pupa completing the cycle.