INSECTS ON ASPEN: EXTERNAL FEEDERS

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External-feeding sawflies (Hymenoptera: Symphyta)

Stauronematus compressicornis

(Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae)

This nematine species is called the "palisade sawfly", because larvae make small columns of dried saliva around their feeding sites. The palisades probably have a defensive role, because ants try to avoid touching them.

 

Colony of Stauronematus compressicornis larvae on Populus tremula. Note the white palisades made of dried saliva around the holes on the leaf.

Leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Chrysomela populi

(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

 

Chrysomela populi on Populus tremula.

Mating pair of Chrysomela populi on Populus tremula in the spring.

   
 

Larva of Chrysomela populi on aspen shoot.

 

Gonioctena decemnotata (= Phytodecta rufipes)

(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

 

Gonioctena decemnotata on Populus tremula.

Gonioctena decemnotata female guarding batch of larvae on Populus tremula.

Phratora sp.

(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

 

Group of Phratora sp. larvae skeletonizing underside of Populus tremula leaf.

Adult Phratora sp. on Populus tremula.

Cryptocephalus octopunctatus

(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

 
 

Cryptocephalus octopunctatus on Populus tremula.

 

Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera)

Notodonta ziczac

(Lepidotera: Notodontidae)

 

Pair of Notodonta ziczac larvae devouring a Populus tremula leaf.

Cerura vinula

(Lepidotera: Notodontidae)

 

One of the odder sights in nature: Cerura vinula larva on a Populus tremula leaf. The species also feeds on various willow species

Leucoma salicis

(Lepidotera: Lymantriidae)

 
 

Larva of the lymantriid moth Leucoma salicis feeding on Populus tremula. As the name implies, the species also occurs on many willows.

 

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