New Zealand entomologist Donald Spiller first described this species in 1942, originally named as Phaeophanus turbotti.

The description was based on two specimens collected by E. G. Turbott from the Poor Knights Islands in November 1940,[1] leading the weevil to be named in honour of its collector.

[5] Adult weevils are active both day and night and have been observed consuming the leaves of the ngaio tree.

The extinction of its sister species, Anagotus stephenensis from the mainland was probably due to rat predation.

[6] Turbott's weevil are protected under Schedule 7 of The 1953 Wildlife Act, making it an offense to hunt, kill or possess a specimen.