Phratora vitellinae
| Brassy willow leaf beetle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Phratora vitellinae | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Chrysomelidae |
| Subfamily: | Chrysomelinae |
| Genus: | Phratora |
| Species: | P. vitellinae |
| Binomial name | |
| Phratora vitellinae (Linnaeus, 1758) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The Brassy willow beetle (Phratora vitellinae), formerly Phyllodecta vitellinae, is a beetle of the family Chrysomelidae.
Description
Phratora vitellinae can reach a length of about 3.5–5.2 millimetres (0.14–0.20 in).[2] Body is domed and elongated. Elytra show longitudinal rows of clearly visible dots. The basic color is black with a metallic shine, usually bronze, but sometimes copper, blue or dark green. This species can be distinguished from P. vulgatissima by the latter more commonly displaying blue nuances.[3]
Distribution
This species is present throughout Europe from Ireland to Northern Russia up to Kamchatka.[1][4]
Habitat
Brassy willow beetlecan be found on aspen and various willow (Salix) species in fens, carrs, wet forests, hedge rows [2] and on river banks. It is also commonly found in willow plantations in agricultural landscapes.
Biology
Adults can be found from May to September.[2] This species is herbivorous and commonly foraging on different willow species. It overwinters in cracks in tree bark of larger trees.[3][5]
References
- 1 2 European Chrysomelidae
- 1 2 3 Commanster
- 1 2 Insectoid.info
- ↑ Fauna Europaea
- ↑ M. Rowell-Rahier (1984). "The Food Plant Preferences of Phratora vitellinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). A. Field Observations". Oecologia. 64: 369–374. doi:10.1007/bf00379135.