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Home BYGL Bug Bytes July 17, 2008 ANOTHER WEED ATTACKED
ANOTHER WEED ATTACKED PDF Print E-mail
Curtis Young apparently can't stay out of the weeds. This week Curtis reported finding another weed, GOLDENROD (Solidago virgaurea), being chewed up by insects. The goldenrod plants were exhibiting two types of defoliation damage. First, the tops of the plants have numerous holes in the leaves; on closer examination, several small dark colored beetles were observed in the tops of each plant. The second type of damage was found on the lower leaves of the plants that were brown and shriveled. The beetles that were found in the tops of the plants and were responsible for the majority of the damage on the goldenrod were identified as the GOLDENROD LEAF MINER (Microrhopala vittata). Thus, the lower damaged leaves were the result of leaf mining grubs (larvae).

These beetles belong to the family Chrysomelidae: subfamily Cassidinae. This is the same group to which the BASSWOOD LEAF MINER (Baliosus nervosus) and the LOCUST LEAF MINER (Odontota dorsalis) belong. Both of these beetles can do significant amounts of feeding on their respective hosts, American linden and black locust. At first glance, a defoliator of goldenrod doesn't sound bad, but goldenrod is used in perennial beds as an ornamental plant. Thus, an invasion of this insect in a perennial bed may be an unwelcome guest. <The goldenrod leaf miner beetle is dark brown in color. Some individuals have a reddish-orange stripe down each side of the back (elytra). The adult is about 1/4" in length.

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Last Updated ( Friday, 18 July 2008 02:46 )
 

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