# Willow Leaf Beetle (*Plagiodera versicolora*) The Willow Leaf Beetle is a small, shiny beetle that loves to munch on willow leaves. They are bright green and can often be found in gardens and parks where willows grow. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Willow Leaf Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Plagiodera_versicolora01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Attribution · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plagiodera_versicolora01.jpg) ## Appearance The Willow Leaf Beetle is a small, oval-shaped insect, typically 4-6mm long, with a striking iridescent metallic blue-green or bronze sheen. Its glossy, dome-shaped wing covers truly make it sparkle among the green leaves, differentiating it from duller leaf beetles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Chrysomelidae - **Genus:** Plagiodera ## Interesting facts - Adult beetles hibernate in winter, hiding in soil or under leaf litter to stay safe! - Female beetles lay hundreds of tiny yellow eggs on the underside of willow leaves! - These beetles can skeletonize leaves, leaving only veins behind like delicate lace patterns! - Young willow leaf beetles are called larvae, and they look completely different from the adults! ## Special abilities - **Chemical Defense Shield:** Willow Leaf Beetle can release a stinky chemical because of special glands, which helps them warn off predators. - **Leaf-Munching Mouthparts:** Willow Leaf Beetle has strong mandibles that help them chew through tough willow leaves as both larvae and adults. - **Quick Getaway Wings:** Willow Leaf Beetle can fly quickly away from danger because of its functional wings, helping it escape predators fast. - **Rapid Reproduction:** Willow Leaf Beetle has a speedy life cycle that helps them lay many eggs quickly, ensuring more beetles hatch. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 8-12 mm - **Size:** 4-6 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 5 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These hungry beetles munch exclusively on willow leaves, both as larvae and adults. - **Primary Foods:** Willow leaves, White Willow (Salix alba) leaves, Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) leaves - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** White Willow (*Salix alba*) — Feeds on the leaves of this common willow tree. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — A tasty snack for this common European bird. - **Eaten by:** European Garden Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Often caught in the webs of these orb-weaving spiders. - **Parasitizes:** Willow Leaf Beetle Parasitic Wasp (*Tetrastichus julis*) — Wasp larvae develop inside willow leaf beetle larvae. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These beetles are not harmful, but it's best to look and not touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Willow Leaf Beetle? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Willow Leaf Beetle's wingspan? 8-12 mm ### How big is Willow Leaf Beetle? 4-6 mm ### How long does Willow Leaf Beetle live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Willow Leaf Beetle fly? 5 km/h ### What does Willow Leaf Beetle eat? These hungry beetles munch exclusively on willow leaves, both as larvae and adults. ### Where is Willow Leaf Beetle usually found? Wetlands ### How does Willow Leaf Beetle hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Chenango Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chenango-canal) — New York, US · Historic Site - [Norvin Green State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/norvin-green-state-forest) — New Jersey, US · Forest - [Willowwood Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/willowwood-arboretum) — New Jersey, US · Botanical Garden - [Ellicott City Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ellicott-city-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Ellicott's Mills Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ellicotts-mills-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Old Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-village-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District [View all places to see Willow Leaf Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/willow-leaf-beetle) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Willow Leaf Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/willow-leaf-beetle)