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Cottonwood Leaf Beetle

Chrysomela scripta

The Cottonwood Leaf Beetle is a small, shiny beetle that loves to munch on cottonwood leaves. They are bright yellow with black spots, making them easy to spot on the trees they eat.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Cottonwood Leaf Beetle has an oval, somewhat flattened body. It features a shiny, often metallic black head and thorax, with distinctive yellow or orange stripes running down its black wing covers, sometimes dotted with black spots. Its bright coloration makes it visually distinct from many other leaf beetles.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyChrysomelidaeGenusAethiopocassis
Cottonwood Leaf Beetle
spotted trait badgesolitary trait badgecolorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Cottonwood Leaf Beetle

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Mom beetles glue tiny bright yellow eggs to the bottom of leaves, like secret treasures!

Sometimes hundreds of these beetles gather together, creating a beetle party!

Too many beetles can make a cottonwood tree look like it has no leaves at all!

Young beetles are slug-like grubs that eat leaves just like their parents!

Special abilities

Ability

Toxic Taste Shield

Cottonwood Leaf Beetles can release foul-tasting compounds from their bodies because they absorb plant toxins, helping them deter predators.

Ability

Tree Leaf Chompers

Cottonwood Leaf Beetles have powerful chewing mouthparts adapted for feasting on tough cottonwood and willow leaves, their main food.

Ability

Winter Napper

Cottonwood Leaf Beetles can survive freezing temperatures by hibernating as adults in sheltered spots, waiting for spring.

Measurements & details

Size
5-8 mm
Lifespan
30-90 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

These beetles and their larvae munch exclusively on the leaves of cottonwood and willow trees.

Age differences: Larvae and adults both feed on host plant leaves, just in different life stages.

Primary Foods

  • Cottonwood leaves
  • Willow leaves
  • Poplar leaves

Foraging Method

  • Grazing

Ecological connections

eats

Eastern Cottonwood

Populus deltoides

Beetle larvae and adults feed on its leaves.

eats

Weeping Willow

Salix babylonica

Also a primary food source for both life stages.

eaten by

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

Bluebirds prey on various insects, including beetles.

eaten by

Garden Cross Spider

Araneus diadematus

Spiders can capture beetles in their sticky webs.

parasitizes

Tachinid Fly

Chetogena scripta

Lays eggs on larvae, which are then consumed.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

It's best to look at beetles from a distance and not touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is Cottonwood Leaf Beetle?

5-8 mm

How long does Cottonwood Leaf Beetle live?

30-90 days

What does Cottonwood Leaf Beetle eat?

These beetles and their larvae munch exclusively on the leaves of cottonwood and willow trees.

Where is Cottonwood Leaf Beetle usually found?

Forests

How does Cottonwood Leaf Beetle hunt?

Grazing

How many legs does Cottonwood Leaf Beetle have?

6

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Where to spot

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