Summary
Viburnum leaf beetles (Pyrrhalta viburni) were found in Cook County in July. This was the first documented sighting of this insect in Illinois, although it has been a pest in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Maine and Massachusetts for several years. These insects have a preference for European cranberrybush, arrowwood and American cranberrybush viburnums. They will also feed on wayfaringtree, rafinesque, blackhaw, mapleleaf, nannyberry and Sargent viburnums. Korean spice, Burkwood, doublefile, Judd, lanatanaphyllum and leatherleaf viburnums appear resistant. Viburnum varieties that have little hair on their foliage seem to be preferred.
Native to Europe, viburnum leaf beetles are particularly troublesome because both the adult and larval stages feed on viburnum leaves, defoliating them between the midrib and larger veins. When severe defoliation occurs, the damage can cause dieback and can potentially kill shrubs. Currently, this is the only insect known to cause such damage on viburnums.See the full content of this document
Extract
Leaf Beetles Can Decimate Viburnums
Adult viburnum leaf beetles are one-quarter to three-eighths of an inch long. Females...
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