Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Chrysomelidae Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Order Coleoptera Subfamily Chrysomelinae | |
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Similar Phratora, Blue willow beetle, Plagiodera versicolora, Chrysomela, Lochmaea caprea | ||
The Brassy willow beetle (Phratora vitellinae), formerly Phyllodecta vitellinae, is a beetle of the family Chrysomelidae.
Contents
Description
Phratora vitellinae can reach a length of about 3.5–5.2 millimetres (0.14–0.20 in). Body is domed and elongated. Elytra show longitudinal rows of clearly visible dots. The basic color is black with a metallic shine, usually bronze, but sometimes copper, blue or dark green. This species can be distinguished from P. vulgatissima by the latter more commonly displaying blue nuances.
Distribution
This species is present throughout Europe from Ireland to Northern Russia up to Kamchatka.
Habitat
Brassy willow beetlecan be found on aspen and various willow (Salix) species in fens, carrs, wet forests, hedge rows and on river banks. It is also commonly found in willow plantations in agricultural landscapes.
Biology
Adults can be found from May to September. This species is herbivorous and commonly foraging on different willow species. It overwinters in cracks in tree bark of larger trees.
