Attelabidae and the related family Rhynchitidae are known commonly as the leaf-rolling weevils.

Some members of this family have long necks and may be called giraffe weevils, particularly Trachelophorus giraffa.

The larvae of Rhynchitinae feed in flower buds, fruits, and terminal shoots, or are leaf miners.

The female cuts slits into leaves to deposit her eggs, and rolls that part of the leaf in which the larvae will feed.

The phylogenetic position of the family within the Curculionoidea based on 18S ribosomal DNA and morphological data can be illustrated in a tree:[5] Nemonychidae Anthribidae Belidae Attelabidae Caridae Brentidae Curculionidae