Appearance

The Red-headed Willow Leaf Beetle displays a distinctive reddish-yellow coloration on its head, pronotum, underside, and legs, often entirely so. This vibrant hue sets it apart from related species. Body size remains undocumented on records, but like other Chrysomela, it likely measures around 6-10 mm with metallic sheen potential. Elytra appear green or metallic, aiding camouflage on foliage.

Habitat and Range

This beetle inhabits areas from south Oklahoma southward to northeast Mexico. It favors willow-dominated environments, particularly species like black willow (Salix nigra) and coyote willow (S. exigua) in southern Texas. These riparian zones provide ideal moist, leafy habitats for feeding and reproduction.

Behavior

Adults and larvae actively defoliate willow leaves, scraping and consuming fresh growth. Diurnal activity patterns suggest daytime foraging on host plants. The species shows host specificity, rarely straying from willows, which influences its distribution along watercourses.

Life Cycle

Details on stages prove limited, but it follows typical leaf beetle patterns: eggs laid on undersides of leaves in spring, hatching into skeletonizing larvae. Pupation occurs in soil, with adults emerging in summer. One to two generations likely complete annually in warmer ranges.

Economic Impact

Neutral economically, as it targets wild willows with no noted impact on commercial crops. Localized defoliation may affect ornamental or native plantings minimally, without broad agricultural concerns.

This preserved specimen highlights the striking reddish-yellow features, ideal for coleopteran collections and education. Check it out on BugGuide! https://bugguide.net/node/view/206229