Weevils are practically defined by their 'snout'. This elongated portion of the head bears the mandibles and other mouthparts at its tip. The snout is used by the females of most species to chew holes into plant material in which they lay their eggs. Adults and larvae of all weevils are plant feeders. The group also contains the notorious bark beetles (formerly recognized as a separate family Scolytidae). With over 600 species in California, the weevils are our second most diverse family of beetles (behind Staphylinidae).

 
Coal Oil Point hosts 7 species of true weevils (Curculionidae), in addition to two species in more primitive weevil families (on each of Anthribidae and Brentidae). Coastal specialist weevils include the dune inhabiting Trigonoscuta, and the driftwood feeding Elassoptes marinus.

Curculionid Photos (click to enlarge)
Elassoptes marinus	Trigonoscuta sp.	Sphenophorus sp.
unidentified cossonine