Colorado Leaf Beetle vs Hazel Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Colorado Leaf Beetle Hazel Sawfly
Scientific Name Leptinotarsa juncta Croesus septentrionalis
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Tenthredinidae
Size 8-11 mm 8-10 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Heathland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Southeastern United States Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Colorado Leaf Beetle

A close relative of the Colorado potato beetle with similar striped elytra but alternating dark and light brown stripes rather than black and yellow. It feeds on native horsenettle.

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Did You Know?

Unlike its notorious relative the Colorado potato beetle, this species has not adapted to crop plants and remains relatively harmless to agriculture.

Hazel Sawfly

A medium-sized sawfly with an orange abdomen and dark thorax. The bluish-green larvae with black heads feed gregariously on hazel, birch, and alder.

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Did You Know?

When disturbed, the gregarious larvae raise their tails simultaneously in an S-shape, creating an intimidating group display to deter predators.