Hundreds of weevil species likely endemic, researchers find By Malaka Rodrigo View(s): View(s):Once a familiar household pest, the damage caused to grain by the rice weevil, called ‘gulla’ in Sinhala, has largely reduced, yet scientists have recorded 264 related species in Sri Lanka. New species continue to be discovered, including in Sri Lanka, and according to Ms Wijesinghe, about 175 species could be endemic or potentially endemic to Sri Lanka. The near disappearance of rice weevils from rice is therefore no mystery. While grain-feeding weevils shaped public memory, most weevil species are not pests at all. Sri Lanka is home to hundreds of species associated with forest trees, vines, shrubs, palms, grasses, and even aquatic plants.

Source: Sunday Times January 25, 2026 04:33 UTC