Willow Leaf Beetle - Plagiodera versicolora

Small, shiny green beetle with punctations on the elytra.

The white spots appear to be some kind of debris...see comments below.

Habitat: Coniferous swamp

comments (6)

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

Very pretty! It DOES look like Plagiodera versicolora! I can't find those white spots either though...Maybe a closely related species? Posted 6 years ago
1. Pudding4brains
  
  Lion
  
  Looks just like "our" P. versicolora - pretty sure the white spots are just dirt ... ;o) Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
    
    Lion
    
    are you sure? that is a perfect symmetry of spots! Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Pudding4brains
      
      Lion
      
      Nah ;o) The two on the tail are not symmetric - the one on the right elytrum is shifted further laterally. The two on the pronotum seem symmetrical but at least the one on the right really looks like a grain of sand or some such. The lateral one on the right elytrum looks like the same "fluff" (but compressed) as seen on the left elytrum ... and more imprtantly: The beetle really, really looks like P. versicolora ;o) Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        :P Tricky little booger! Posted 6 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks for the input Arp and Lisa. I think Arp is correct in his assessment of these white spots. They aren't totally symmetrical and the spot near the middle leg definitely looks 3-D. Plus, the white fluff-like thing on top of the elytra make me think it's all of the same origin.
        
        I went back to this location a few days ago and found more P. versicolora. One had white spots, but in a different configuration. So, I guess it is debris or pollen or fungus or whatever, but not part of the beetle:
        
        Posted 6 years ago

The Willow Leaf Beetle

The Willow leaf beetle is a beetle species from the family leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae). The scientific name of the species was first published in 1781 by Laicharting. The species has been imported from Europe into other continents, where it is often considered a pest.

Info 12 0

Similar species: Beetles

Species identified by Christine Young