Leaf Feeding Beetles

Reach out to SprayTech at (720)248-0000 for a free estimate on leaf feating beetle spraying.

John P. Bailey, University of Leicester, Bugwood.org

There are many types of leaf feeding beetles around. They come from the Chrysomelidae family, and the majority of them will feed on shrubs and trees. The best thing you can do is to watch your trees to see if you have an infestation.

Lifestyle of Leaf Feeding Beetles

The beetles will go through a complete metamorphosis. They tend to pupate at the bottom of trees and will then emerge as adults in late April or early May. They can then lay their eggs on the leaves of the trees that they take food from.

The larvae will then go through three feeding processes before they head back to the base of the tree to pupate. Some of these beetles will go through two generations each year.

Damage Caused by Leaf Feeding Beetles

You’ll know if you have a leaf feeding beetle problem based on the way your leaves look. Due to the way the beetles feed on the veins and midribs of the leaves, the leaves end up with a skeletonized look on the top.

One of the biggest issues of the insects is that both the adults and the larvae are major problems for the trees. They tend not to migrate away, so they continue to cause major issues for the trees as they continue to grow and develop.

Handling the Issue of Leaf Feeding Beetles

You will need to get an insecticide to deal with the situation. Pyrethroids, and acephate are great options and have proven to be effective against the pests. You may also find the newer strains of Bt are also good options, especially when it comes to the control of the young larvae.

You want insecticides that will poison the creatures as they eat them. You can also get some that will get into the eggs due to the positioning of them. It’s important to follow the instructions for your specific pest problem to make sure you tackle it. This includes the time of year to apply it.

Contact SprayTech for leaf feeding beetle spraying at (720)248-0000.