Viburnum Leaf Beetle vs Asian Rhagophthalmid Glowworm

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Viburnum Leaf Beetle Asian Rhagophthalmid Glowworm
Scientific Name Pyrrhalta viburni Rhagophthalmus ohbai
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Rhagophthalmidae
Size 4-6 mm 8-15 mm
Habitat Gardens Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions Europe (native), introduced to North America East Asia, Japan, Taiwan
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Viburnum Leaf Beetle

A small, brownish-yellow beetle with dense pubescence that has become a serious invasive pest of ornamental viburnum shrubs. Larvae skeletonize leaves from the underside.

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Did You Know?

Females chew holes in twigs and deposit eggs inside, capping them with a mixture of excrement and chewed bark that hardens into a protective cover.

Asian Rhagophthalmid Glowworm

A small beetle from the family Rhagophthalmidae with neotenic, larviform females that produce a bright continuous glow. Males are winged with large eyes and reduced mouthparts.

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Did You Know?

The family Rhagophthalmidae was only recently separated from Phengodidae based on molecular evidence, despite superficial similarities.