A NEW species of weevil was named after the president of the Davao Oriental State University, Dr. Roy Ponce, in recognition of his contribution to the field of biodiversity research.

Weevils are herbivorous beatles which are considered pest as they damage and kill crops.

The new species — “Metapocytrus poncei” — was discovered in the secondary forests of San Isidro, Davao Oriental.

The university said that the beetle was found 500 meters away from a riparian ecosystem with semi-dense vegetation composed of shrubs and grasses.

“The beetle resembles the elytral markings… it has a unique pronotum fully covered in scales, elytra with longitudinal scaly stripes, full scales in the lateral sides, and with rounded apex,” DorSU said.

“The female was also observed to have a short acute black spine at the apex of each elytron,” it added.

Ponce helped in the nomination on Mt. Hamiguitan as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and management of protected landscapes in the province.