Clover weevil vs Cyprus Spiny Mouse

Sitona hispidulus compared with Acomys nesiotes

Key Differences

• Clover weevil is Least Concern while Cyprus Spiny Mouse is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Clover weevil	Cyprus Spiny Mouse
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum	Arthropoda (arthropodes)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Insecta (insecte)	Mammalia (mammifères)
Order	Coleoptera (Beetles)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Curculionidae	Muridae (Mice & Rats)
Genus	Sitona	Acomys
Species	Sitona hispidulus	Acomys nesiotes

Evolutionary Relationship

Clover weevil and Cyprus Spiny Mouse share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (animal)

Conservation Status

Clover weevil

LC — Least Concern

Cyprus Spiny Mouse

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Clover weevil	Cyprus Spiny Mouse
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Clover weevil

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and montane grasslands and shrublands, among 5 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (8 countries), Europe (12 countries), and North America (Canada, United States).

Cyprus Spiny Mouse

Habitat

Inhabits Mediterranean forests and woodlands within the Palearctic biogeographic realm.

Range

Found in Cyprus.

Clover weevil

The clover weevil (Sitona hispidulus) is a small herbivorous beetle in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Entiminae. Native to the Palearctic region across Europe and Asia, this species has been introduced to North America, where it is now widespread across agricultural regions. Adults and larvae feed on clovers and other legumes in the genus Trifolium and related plants. Adults feed on the leaves, creating characteristic semicircular notches along leaf margins, a feeding pattern typical of Sitona weevils. Larvae feed underground on nitrogen-fixing root nodules, which can reduce the agronomic value of legume crops by damaging the symbiotic Rhizobium bacteria. The clover weevil is consequently regarded as an agricultural pest in clover-growing regions. Adults are grey-brown and densely covered in scales, measuring about 3–5 mm in length. The species overwinters as adults in soil or leaf litter, emerging in spring to feed and reproduce. It inhabits cultivated fields, pastures, meadows, roadsides, and any habitat supporting clover and related legumes. Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN given its wide distribution and abundance.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇨🇾 Cyprus