viburnum leaf beetle
(Pyrrhalta viburni)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Major Hosts: Viburnums vary in their susceptibility to this non-native insect. Preferential feeding occurs on V. dentatum, V. opulus, V. opulus var. americana, and several others.
Key Features: Insects: yellowish-brown to bronze colored beetles; beetles range from ¼ inch to a 1/8 inch in length. Mature larvae are larger than the adult beetles ranging from ¼ inch to 1/3 inch in length. The larvae are shiny yellowish green with a pattern of dark spots along the sides and a row of black dashes along the back. Damage: The larvae feed on the leaf surface from below in the spring with the first flush of growth. When the adult beetles appear they feed on the leaf surface from above. This feeding results in leaves riddled with holes.
Control/Management: In a landscape setting viburnum plants may be treated with insecticides. To preserve pollinators follow these recommendations: Before bloom and when larvae are present use topical or contact insecticides. After bloom is finished systemic insecticides.
In a woodland setting trying to treat viburnum with systemic insecticides would be difficult. Trying to target just the viburnum root system is impossible. So, another option is to plant less susceptible/resistant viburnum plants. Check with your resource professional for an updated list of susceptible species. See this website for a complete listing of viburnum species http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/suscept.html
Indicator Plants / Insect Activity:
• Full bloom Korean Spice viburnum 205 GDD
• First egg hatch 210 GDD
• First bloom of Carolina Silverbell 213 GDD
Key Features: Insects: yellowish-brown to bronze colored beetles; beetles range from ¼ inch to a 1/8 inch in length. Mature larvae are larger than the adult beetles ranging from ¼ inch to 1/3 inch in length. The larvae are shiny yellowish green with a pattern of dark spots along the sides and a row of black dashes along the back. Damage: The larvae feed on the leaf surface from below in the spring with the first flush of growth. When the adult beetles appear they feed on the leaf surface from above. This feeding results in leaves riddled with holes.
Control/Management: In a landscape setting viburnum plants may be treated with insecticides. To preserve pollinators follow these recommendations: Before bloom and when larvae are present use topical or contact insecticides. After bloom is finished systemic insecticides.
In a woodland setting trying to treat viburnum with systemic insecticides would be difficult. Trying to target just the viburnum root system is impossible. So, another option is to plant less susceptible/resistant viburnum plants. Check with your resource professional for an updated list of susceptible species. See this website for a complete listing of viburnum species http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/suscept.html
Indicator Plants / Insect Activity:
• Full bloom Korean Spice viburnum 205 GDD
• First egg hatch 210 GDD
• First bloom of Carolina Silverbell 213 GDD
Resources
- Viburnum Leaf Beetle Pyrrhalta viburni (Paykull) in the Nursery and Landscape - Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
- Fact Sheet - Cornell University
- Featured Creatures - Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry and University of Florida
Selected Images
Invasive Listing Sources
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: Hexapoda |
| Class: Insecta |
| Subclass: Pterygota |
| Infraclass: Neoptera |
| Order: Coleoptera |
| Suborder: Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: Cucujiformia |
| Superfamily: Chrysomeloidea |
| Family: Chrysomelidae |
| Subfamily: Galerucinae |
| Tribe: Galerucini |
| Genus: Pyrrhalta |
| Pyrrhalta viburni |
Other System Links
NPDN Pest: INAMGUA
References
Common Name Reference: Web Search - http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/beetles/viburnum_leaf_beetle.htm
Scientific Name Reference: Catalog of the Leaf Beetles of America North of Mexico - http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=242474