''Pyrrhalta viburni'' is a species of leaf beetle native to Europe and Asia, commonly known as the viburnum leaf beetle. It was first detected in North America in 1947 in Ontario, Canada. However, specimens had been collected in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia in 1924. In 1996 it was discovered in a park in New York, where native plantings of arrowwood ('' Viburnum dentatum'' complex) were found to be heavily damaged by larval feeding. The UK-based Royal Horticultural Society stated that its members reported ''Pyrrhalta viburni'' as the "number one pest species" in 2010. The

spined soldier bug The spined soldier bug (''Podisus maculiventris'') is a species of stink bug common in North America. They are predators of gypsy moth caterpillars and the larvae of beetles such as the Colorado potato beetle and the Epilachna varivestis, Mexican ...

, ''Podisus maculiventris'' is used and developed as a biological control agent against the beetle.

Life cycle

Viburnum leaf beetles go through one new generation of offspring per year. Eggs are laid throughout the summer and into October. Female beetles burrow into the underside viburnum terminal twigs and create 'spaces' in pith tissue. Then they lay eggs in clusters of 5-6 and cover them with

frass Frass refers loosely to the more or less solid excreta of insects, and to certain other related matter. Definition and etymology ''Frass'' is an informal term and accordingly it is variously used and variously defined. It is derived from the ...

. Eggs overwinter in these cavities where they are protected from water loss and predation. Females prefer to place their eggs near where other females have in previous years The eggs hatch by mid-May, after hatching, the larvae feed and grow successively bigger through three instars. Ultimately, they pupate in the soil and emerge as adults in late June or early July. File:Pyrrhalta viburni. egg cases.jpg, Egg cases File:Pyrrhalta viburni eggs.jpg, Eggs File:Pyrrhalta viburni (14114037229).jpg, Larva File:1.díl html 39ed60bf.jpg, Leaf damage File:Mating-viburnum-leaf-beetle-kottayam-kerala.jpg, Mating

Host Plants

Both the larvae and the adults consume the leaves of ''

Viburnum ''Viburnum'' is a genus of about 150–175 species of flowering plants in the moschatel family Adoxaceae. Its current classification is based on molecular phylogeny. It was previously included in the honeysuckle family Caprifoliaceae. The membe ...

'' species, but at different times of the year, the larvae during the spring, and the adults during the summer. Plants may end up being completely defoliated due to their feeding activities, sometimes resulting in their death. Although, certain species appear to be more preferable to the beetles than others.

References

External links

Viburnum leaf beetle
on the UF /

IFAS IFAS may refer: * Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences * Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge, a sewage treatment process * International French adjectival system In rock climbing, mountaineering, and other climbing disciplines, clim ...

Featured Creatures Web site

PEST ALERT: Viburnum Leaf Beetle

Penn State College of Agriculture
Gardeners' World

Bugguide.net. Species ''Pyrrhalta viburni'' - Viburnum Leaf Beetle
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1305510 Galerucinae Beetles of Europe Beetles of Asia Beetles described in 1799 Taxa named by Gustaf von Paykull Insect pests of ornamental plants