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Byctiscus populi

Poplar leaf-roller

Description

An attractive, metallic green or coppery coloured, leaf-rolling weevil. Adult beetles appear around the beginning of May and can be found from this time onwards until the end of September. The weevils feed on the developing leaves before commencing to construct the special “nest” for its larvae. The female rolls up a poplar leaf into a simple cigar-like roll (singly leaf, never more leaves as related species do). Leaf rolls are continually produced throughout the summer but peak activity is between June and July. Then it lays the egg into such a roll. The rolls slowly wilt, and thus a suitable environment for larval development is formed.  

Symptom

The female rolls up a poplar leaf into a simple cigar-like roll (always single leaf, never more leaves as related species do). 

Tree Species: Poplar

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest significance: Harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes

Seasonal frequency of occurrence

Seasonal frequency of occurrence