Tundra Leaf Beetle vs Solomon's Seal Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tundra Leaf Beetle | Solomon's Seal Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysomela lapponica | Phymatocera aterrima |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 6-9 mm | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, subarctic Canada | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tundra Leaf Beetle
A rounded, metallic reddish-brown leaf beetle with variable dark markings. Adults and larvae feed on willows in subarctic and mountain regions. Both stages produce chemical defenses derived from salicylates in willow leaves.
Did You Know?
Larvae secrete droplets of salicylaldehyde derived from willow on their backs, creating a chemical shield that repels predators.
Solomon's Seal Sawfly
A small, entirely black sawfly whose grayish-white larvae with black heads are highly destructive to Solomon's seal plants. Larvae feed from the leaf edges inward.
Did You Know?
The larvae are so well camouflaged against the undersides of Solomon's seal leaves that gardeners often only notice them after severe damage is done.