Elm Leaf Beetle Identification and Leaf Damage
Larvae of this beetle consume elm leaves down to the veins, and adults are known for sheltering inside buildings once cold weather sets in.
Free Estimate within 24 Hours
Larval damage to elm foliage
The larvae of the elm leaf beetle consume the leaves of elms, leaving only the veins of the foliage behind — a defoliation pattern that can quickly thin out a tree's canopy.
Larva and adult identification
Larvae grow to 16 mm or smaller and are blackish, sometimes with a black-and-yellow combination, with multiple rows of dots running along the back and sides.
Adult beetles are approximately 6 to 8 mm long and range from yellow to green, with a characteristic spot on the head, an hourglass mark, two spots on the front thorax, and a broad dark stripe down each wing's side.
A nuisance indoors, too
Adult beetles create problems beyond the tree canopy when they shelter in buildings during winter months, which is often how homeowners first notice an active population nearby.
