Phratora vitellinae

The Brassy willow beetle (Phratora vitellinae), formerly Phyllodecta vitellinae, is a beetle of the family Chrysomelidae.

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
Synonyms
  • Chrysomela vitellinae Linnaeus, 1758
  • Phratora angusticollis Motschulsky, 1860
  • Phratora latipennis Motschulsky, 1860

[1]

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. European Chrysomelidae
  2. Commanster
  3. Insectoid.info
  4. Fauna Europaea
  5. M. Rowell-Rahier (1984). "The Food Plant Preferences of Phratora vitellinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). A. Field Observations". Oecologia. 64 (3): 369–374. doi:10.1007/bf00379135. PMID 28311453.


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