Larger Elm Leaf Beetle

Natural Habitat

Deciduous forests, parks, and residential areas containing elm trees; widely distributed across the Eastern United States.

Diet & Feeding

Folivore; primarily feeds on the leaves of elm trees (Ulmus spp.), but may also feed on hazel, river birch, and pecan.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae feed in groups (gregariously) on the underside of leaves, skeletonizing the foliage. Adults emerge in late spring to summer to mate and lay yellow egg clusters; they undergo a single generation per year and pupate in the soil.

Risks & Benefits

Considered a minor agricultural or garden pest as heavy infestations can cause significant defoliation of host trees; however, they are generally harmless to humans and do not bite or sting.

Identified on: 3/1/2026