Weevils in copula A Pimelocerus hylobioides (Desbrochers, 1891) (Molytinae) (photo credit: JHL) B Desmidophorus crassus Hubenthal, 1917 (Brachycerinae) (photo credit: JHL) C Microcryptorhynchus sp. (Molytinae) (photo credit: HK) D Episomus mori Kono, 1928 (Entiminae) (photo credit: JHL) E Euthycus sp. (Molytinae) (photo credit: JHL) F Cryptoderma kuniyoshii Morimoto, 1978 (Dryophthorinae) (photo credit: JHL). Males often use their hindlegs to grip females from behind, and the metatibiae are usually positioned along the females ventrites or near her genitalia during copulation. The independent evolution of modified, species-specific metatibial unci in males in many weevil lineages may be explained by sexual selection (as they may be used to stimulate females) or as they provide additional gripping function during copulation.

 
 
  Part of: Lewis JH, Kojima H, Suenaga M, Petsopoulos D, Fujisawa Y, Truong XL, Warren DL (2024) The era of cybertaxonomy: X-ray microtomography reveals cryptic diversity and concealed cuticular sculpture in Aphanerostethus Voss, 1957 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). ZooKeys 1217: 1-45. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1217.126626