Good morning, science fans! As you all know, Possumblog continues to set itself apart as your most valued source of information regarding all matters scientific, and thus it is no surprise that we recently had a Filipino visitor to our sleek, high-tech headquarters to ask about: Trivia about Giraffe weevil
Well, my friend, you've come to the right place. If there's ONE thing we can claim the most knowledge about, it's insect trivia!
1) The giraffe weevil is the world's largest weevil, weighing close to 140 pounds when fully grown.
2) The giraffe weevil is usually found in cool, damp areas around the house, or in Africa.
3) The most common male giraffe weevil name is Blake, and the most common female name is Tiffany.
4) Giraffe weevils have only one natural predator, the giraffe weevil weevil.
5) The giraffe weevil was first described by famed entomologist Sir Dentley North-Wodely during his expedition up the Zambezi River in 1857. In his journal, his first sighting of the giraffe weevil is noted thusly: "April 14th, tea time: A deucedly great INSECT has just dropped onto one of our native porters, and it appears to be quite mad, with great snapping pinc--"
Sadly, this was also Sir Dentley's last sighting.
6) The largest private collection of giraffe weevil specimens is held at Lloyd Selby's International House of Curiosities, Rt. 4, Brooklyn, Kansas.
7) In 1903, a giraffe weevil infestation wiped out Alabama's entire giraffe crop. Although many farmers faced ruin, the devastation forced them to consider alternative crops such as the duckbilled platypus and penguins. The results of this change were dramatic and contributed to an overall boost in farm productivity and profits. Grateful citizens of Godly Hollow, Alabama erected a monument to the pest, in appreciation for the positive change wrought by the beast, and the diversification of Alabama's farm life.
Well, there you have just a sample of the fascinating information about this insect. As always, we are happy to be of assistance as you endeavor to make yourselves real smart.
UPDATE: In an effort to give you nightmares for the rest of your life, the lovely and talented Jordana Adams sends along a picture of this beast.
Actually, it's really not much worse than this.
Man, the things one learns from this blog. I think Possumblog should be required reading for every elementary school science class.
Posted by: Stan at August 17, 2005 08:50 AMThe world would truly be a much different place...
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at August 17, 2005 08:51 AMWhile I really enjoy posts like this do, you think it wise to go this long without your medication?
Posted by: jim at August 17, 2005 09:11 AMI'll be just fine. I'll just take a bigger handful to make up for anything I might have missed.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at August 17, 2005 09:24 AMYour entomology is brilliant beyond words. Geography, however, needs work. There is no Brooklyn, KS. As this link shows, there are several other Brooklyns. There is a Manhattan, KS, but there's a big difference.
As they say in my native town, [brooklynese]"Don't Mess Wit Brooklyn."[/brooklynese] Well, that's not precisely how they say it, but this is a family science-type show.
Posted by: skinnydan at August 17, 2005 09:31 AMOh, Skinnydan! Next thing you'll be telling me is that there's no such thing as a Lloyd Selby's International House of Curiosities!
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at August 17, 2005 10:16 AMI can't compete with your encyclopedic knowledge of back-alley curio shoppes. I can, however, claim ascendence on the subject of Brooklyns. Including, to a great extent 'Going Brooklyn'.
Posted by: skinnydan at August 17, 2005 10:41 AMLOOK! A BROOKLYN!
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at August 17, 2005 10:46 AMI dunno - it's missing something.
Posted by: skinnydan at August 17, 2005 11:23 AMFur and teeth?
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at August 17, 2005 11:44 AMMmmmm. Nuuuoooo, that's not it. I can't quite put my finger on it.
Posted by: skinnydan at August 17, 2005 01:39 PMHmm. I don't know--I might have to ask my cousin from Long Island, Alabama.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at August 17, 2005 01:41 PMOMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This was really stupid...im doning a research on a real giraffe weevil and u give me this....how stupid is this...wat a waste of time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Lenny at September 24, 2005 07:14 PM