Meet the large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis), a notorious powerhouse of the European forestry world. This robust beetle is a major conifer pest with an almost supernatural sense of smell, capable of detecting the scent of freshly cut tree stumps from miles away, which they seek out to shelter and lay their eggs. Unlike many of their short-lived insect peers, adult pine weevils are incredibly resilient, boasting an impressive lifespan of up to four years. However, their feeding habits are devastating to young forests. Instead of munching on leaves, they chew away a ring of bark from the stems of saplings. This process, known as girdling, acts like a belt squeezed too tight—cutting off the tree’s nutrient flow and ultimately killing it. Yet, despite their destructive reputation, they are absolute drama queens when cornered. While taking a break during my bicycle tour along the Swedish east coast, I spotted this large weevil strolling across a bench. The moment I approached, it instantly deployed its favorite theatrical trick: thanatosis. It dramatically collapsed onto its back, tucked its legs tight, and played dead. To get my shots, I had to gently set him back on his feet and wait patiently for the “performance” to end and for him to start walking again!
