Red-winged leaf beetle

Systematic position: The red-winged leaf beetle (Plagiodera erythroptera) belongs to the order Coleoptera and the family Chrysomelidae. This species is a specialized phytophagous insect that predominantly inhabits deciduous trees within the Salicaceae family, affecting both natural forests and nurseries.

Host plants: The primary hosts for this pest include various species of willow (Salix) and poplar (Populus). The insect shows a strong preference for young saplings and nursery plants, where the succulent foliage provides sufficient nutrients for larval development and adult maturation.

Biology and life cycle: The insect undergoes a complete metamorphosis. Adults emerge in early spring after overwintering. Females deposit eggs in clusters on the underside of leaves. After hatching, the larvae feed gregariously on the foliage. The life cycle involves several larval instars, followed by pupation, which typically occurs on the leaf surface or sheltered areas of the bark.

Damage and pest significance: Both adults and larvae contribute to leaf damage. Larvae perform skeletonization of the leaf tissue, while adults create irregular holes and notches in the leaves. Severe infestations can lead to significant defoliation, which reduces the photosynthetic capacity of the tree, weakens its growth, and increases vulnerability to secondary infections or environmental stress.

Control measures: Management of the red-winged leaf beetle requires a combination of monitoring and intervention. Nursery hygiene is essential to limit population outbreaks. When thresholds are reached, the application of registered insecticides is recommended, particularly targeting the early larval stages when they are most susceptible to contact or systemic treatments.

• Routine inspection of foliage during the active growing season.
• Pruning and destruction of infested branches in small-scale plantings.
• Strategic use of insecticides to manage outbreaks during mass hatching.