Viburnum Leaf Beetle first instar L and second instar R

A native of Europe and Asia the Viburnum Leaf Beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni Paykull was discovered in 1978 in the Ottawa-Hull region of Canada. It was first recorded from the U. S. in 1994 and from Michigan in 2007. Both the larva and the adults feed on the leaves of thin leaved Viburnum species. The insect eats Highbush-Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum), Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum), Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago), and Black-haw (Viburnum prunifolium), all of these species are native to Michigan. It also eats the imported European highbush-cranberry (Viburnum opulus) and its cultivar, Snowball Bush, and Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum lantana). The thicker leaved Viburnum species do not seem to be a food source.

The larva molts and has three instar stages before dropping to the ground and pupating. The adult emerges and continues to feed on the host plant. The insect overwinters as eggs laid under the bark of the Viburnum.

Viburnum Leaf Beetle third instar and leaf

The photographs are from Troy Michigan. It has defoliated several Viburnums in our garden. Our plants died after being attacked for two successive years. The plant leafed out after the larva destroyed the leaves and the adult beetles again defoliated the plants.

For more information see About.com Gardening

Copyright 2013 by Donald Drife

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