Viburnum Leaf Beetle larvae

Description:

The viburnum leaf beetle is approximately 1/5 to 1/4 inch in length. The head, thorax and elytra are generally brown, and the anterior edge of the elytra is slightly dark. The dorsal surface is covered with dense golden-grey hair. In overall appearance, VLB resembles the elm leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta luteola Müller) except for minor differences in size and color. Newly hatched larva is greenish yellow and very small 1/25 to 1/15 inch. As it grows, a pattern of dark spots develops on the body and make it appear dark. Mature larva is 2/5 inch long, slightly depressed, and sub-cylindrical. The viburnum leaf beetle overwinters as eggs, and requires a chilling period of approximately five months. They hatch around May when leaf buds open. The matured larvae enter the soil to pupate from early to mid-June and emerge as adults in July. The pupal stage lasts for about 10 days). Adult females lay eggs from late June to October or until the first killing frost. During its life span, the adult female lays up to 500 eggs on viburnum twigs and small branches by excavating deep, rounded pinhead sized egg cavities in a straight row on the under surface of the terminal twigs. After filling the egg cavity with five to eight eggs, the female closes the opening with a lid or "cap" made of excrement and chewed bark held together by a mucous secretion that hardens upon exposure. The cap not only protects the egg from predation, but also absorbs water to maintain the humidity. Adults and larvae of VLB feed almost exclusively on species of viburnum.

Habitat:

Forest