Viburnum Leaf Beetle (Larva)
Scientific Name: Pyrrhalta viburni
Order & Family: Order Coleoptera, Family Chrysomelidae
Size: Larvae grow to approximately 10-11 mm (0.4 inches) in length.
Natural Habitat
Found on the foliage of Viburnum shrubs in residential landscapes, gardens, and deciduous forests.
Diet & Feeding
The larvae feed exclusively on the leaves of various Viburnum species, often skeletonizing the leaf tissue.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae hatch in early spring and feed gregariously on leaf undersides. After maturing, they crawl down to the soil to pupate before emerging as adult beetles in summer.
Risks & Benefits
Risk: They are a significant horticultural pest that can cause severe defoliation and death of Viburnum plants after several years of infestation. Benefit: They serve as a food source for some predatory insects and birds.
Identified on: 3/25/2026