The Cottonwood Leaf Beetle is a medium-sized leaf beetle with cream-white elytra boldly scrawled with irregular black markings, resembling written script. Aggregations of larvae and adults can completely defoliate young cottonwood and willow trees in spring and summer. When disturbed, larvae exude defensive glandular secretions containing salicylaldehyde derived from their host plants.
Habitat
Riparian areas with cottonwood, willow, and aspen
Diet
Adults and larvae: cottonwood, willow, and poplar foliage
How common
Common
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