These flightless, large insects are at risk largely from lack of host plants (speargrass). They are 2 cm-long and vulnerable to extinction because they are monophagic - which means they only eat one plant species. But the main issue is that they are flightless and slow-moving, making them highly vulnerable to predation by rats and mice
Wellington south coast speargrass weevil (Lyperobius huttoni) Photo: DOC Greg Sherley
