Brown Willow Beetle vs Japanese Maple Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Brown Willow Beetle Japanese Maple Sawfly
Scientific Name Galerucella lineola Megalodontes cephalotes
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Pamphiliidae
Size 4-6 mm 12-18 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Meadows
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe Southern and Central Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Brown Willow Beetle

A small brown beetle that feeds on willow leaves and can cause significant defoliation. Has been used as a biological control agent for purple loosestrife in North America.

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Did You Know?

A close relative was deliberately introduced to North America as biological control for invasive purple loosestrife.

Japanese Maple Sawfly

A colorful web-spinning sawfly with a large head, bright orange body, and distinctive long antennae. It is associated with umbelliferous plants in southern Europe.

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Did You Know?

Despite its common association with umbellifers, this species belongs to a family mostly known for conifer and broadleaf tree feeders.