Viburnum Leaf Bettle – Pyrrhalota viburni

Viburnum Leaf Beetle – Pyrrhalota viburni   Scientific name: Pyrrhalota viburni Common name: Viburnum leaf beetle   Appearance: Viburnum leaf beetle is a yellowish-brown beetle ranging in size from 4.5 to 6 mm. The anterior edge of the forewings is slightly dark, and the anterior surface is covered with golden-grey hair. It has small, yellowish-green larvae with a pattern of dark spots. The larvae grow upto 11 mm long, with a sub-cylindrical, slightly depressed body.   Host plants or food: As the name suggests, the viburnum leaf beetle feeds on viburnum plant species, such as arrowwood viburnum, European cranberry bush viburnum, and sardent viburnum.   Territory: Throughout North America, Europe, and Asia   Mode of damage: Viburnum leaf beetles are leaf chewers and feed between the midrib and veins, skeletonizing the leaves. While the adults chew shotholes in the leaves, the larvae feed on the underside of young leaves.   Habits and life history   Adult viburnum leaf beetle feeds during the summer, while the larva feeds during the spring. The female beetle burrows into the viburnum twigs, creating a cavity in the pith to lay their eggs. They lay eggs in clusters of 5 to 6 and cover them with frass for protection against predators. Female viburnum leaf beetles lay a total of 500 eggs throughout their life. The larva emerges from the eggs and pupates in the soil, ultimately transforming into an adult in June or early July. Optimum temperature for larval development lies between 63-72°F (17-22°C) They only produce one generation per year.