Red Poplar Leaf Beetle vs Great Mullein Weevil

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red Poplar Leaf Beetle Great Mullein Weevil
Scientific Name Chrysomela populi Cionus thapsus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Curculionidae
Size 10-12 mm 3-4.5 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red Poplar Leaf Beetle

A shiny red-orange beetle with a black head, commonly found on poplar and willow trees. Larvae release a pungent salicylaldehyde when disturbed.

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Did You Know?

Larvae convert compounds from willow leaves into a chemical that smells like almonds to deter predators.

Great Mullein Weevil

A small rounded weevil found exclusively on great mullein plants. Similar to the figwort weevil but associated with different host plants. Larvae are external feeders in mucous cocoons.

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Did You Know?

Each larva lives inside its own slimy mucous cocoon attached to the mullein leaf surface.