The blue willow beetle (Phratora vulgatissima), formerly Phyllodecta vulgatissima, is a herbivourous beetle of the family Chrysomelidae. It is dark with a metallic sheen that ranges from a blue color to bronze. It is distinguished from P. vitellinae by the latter more commonly displaying bronze coloration. European Phratora species can be distinguished based on morphology of female genitalia.[1] The larvae undergo three instar stages from hatching to pupation.[2] This beetle is found throughout Europe and Scandinavia,[3] and occurs in China.[4]
| Blue willow beetle | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Chrysomelidae |
| Genus: | Phratora |
| Species: | P. vulgatissima
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| Binomial name | |
| Phratora vulgatissima | |
Ecology
editThe blue willow beetle is found on willow (Salix) species, whose leaves contain low levels of salicylates[5][6] in fens, carrs and on river banks, but also often in willow short rotation coppice and other agricultural landscapes.[7] It often aggregates on host plants.[8] On Salix cinerea, it prefers and is more common on female than male trees despite higher egg predation exerted by the common flowerbug Anthocoris nemorum on female trees.[9] It is univoltine in Sweden[2] but can produce multiple generations per year in other parts of its distribution range.[10] Proliferation of larvae and egg production varies with vegetation.[11] It overwinters under lichens on trees and under tree bark.[12] Predators of blue willow beetle eggs include A. nemorum and Orthotylus marginalis. Larval predators include A. nemorum, the bug Rhacognathus punctatus,[10] a syrphid fly (possibly Parasyrphus nigritarsis)[13] and the wasp Symmorphus bifasciatus.[14] Adult beetles are parasitized by the wasp Perilitus brevicollis[15] and consumed by R. punctatus.[13]
As a pest
editIn Europe, the blue willow beetle can become a severe herbivore pest on willows.[16] For plantations of common osier (Salix viminalis), herbivory reducing biomass production by up to 40% has been estimated.[17] It is susceptible to Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis and also Spinosad when treatment is applied to affected plants.[18]
References
edit- ^ Sundholm, A. (1956). "Studien über die Gattung Phyllodecta Kirby (Col. Chrysomelidae)". Opuscula Entomologica. 21: 5–7.
- ^ a b Torp, Mikaela; Lehrman, Anna; Stenberg, Johan A.; Julkunen-Tiitto, Riitta; Björkman, Christer (2013-03-01). "Performance of an herbivorous leaf beetle (Phratora vulgatissima) on Salix F2 hybrids: the uimportance of phenolics". Journal of Chemical Ecology. 39 (4): 516–524. doi:10.1007/s10886-013-0266-3. PMID 23456345. S2CID 1714405.
- ^ Lucht, W. H. (1987). Die Käfer Mitteleuropas: Katalog. Krefeld: Goecke and Evers Verlag.
- ^ Chen, S. H. (1965). "On the Chinese species of the Chrysomeline genus Phratora". Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica. 2 (3): 218–224.
- ^ Köpf, A.; Rank, N. E.; Roininen, H.; Julkunen-Tiitto, R.; Pasteels, J. M.; Tahvanainen, J. (1998). "The evolution of host-plant use and sequestration in the leaf beetle genus Phratora (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)". Evolution. 52 (2): 517–528. doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.1998.tb01651.x. PMID 28568343. S2CID 24641299.
- ^ Kelly, M. T.; Curry, J. P. (1991). "The influence of phenolic compounds on the suitability of three Salix species as hosts for the willow beetle Phratora vulgatissima". Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 61: 25–32. doi:10.1111/j.1570-7458.1991.tb02392.x. S2CID 84232264.
- ^ Kelly, M. T.; Curry, J. P. (1991). "The biology and population density of the willow beetle (Phratora vulgatissima [L.]) on Salix viminalis in reclaimed cutaway peat". Journal of Applied Entomology. 111 (1–5): 57–62. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0418.1991.tb00293.x. S2CID 86736745.
- ^ Peacock, L.; Herrick, S.; Brain, P. (1999-11-01). "Spatio-temporal dynamics of willow beetle (Phratora vulgatissima) in short-rotation coppice willows grown as monocultures or a genetically diverse mixture". Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 1 (4): 287–296. doi:10.1046/j.1461-9563.1999.00039.x. S2CID 84933651.
- ^ Kabir, Faisal MD; Moritz, Kim K; Stenberg, Johan A (2015-04-19). "Plant-sex-biased tritrophic interactions on dioecious willow". Ecosphere. 5 (12): 153. doi:10.1890/ES14-00356.1.
- ^ a b Görnandt, H. (1955). "Die Käfergattung Phyllodecta Kirby". Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift. 2: 1–100. doi:10.1002/mmnd.19550020102.
- ^ L. Peacock; J. Harris & S. Powers (2004). "Effects of host variety on blue willow beetle Phratora vulgatissima performance". Annals of Applied Biology. 144 (1): 45–52. doi:10.1111/j.1744-7348.2004.tb00315.x.
- ^ Kendall, D A (1996). "Phenology and population dynamics of willow beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in short rotation coppice willows at Long Ashton". Biofuels Study.
- ^ a b Rank, N. E.; Smiley, J. T.; Köpf, A. (1996). "Natural enemies and host plant relationships for chrysomeline leaf beetles feeding on Salicaceae". In P. H. Jolivet; M. L. Cox (eds.). Chrysomelidae Biology. Vol. 2: Ecological Studies. Amsterdam: SPB Publishing. pp. 147–171.
- ^ Blüthgen, P. (1961). Die Faltenwespen Mitteleuropas (Hymenoptera, Diploptera). Berlin: Akademie Verlag.
- ^ J.A. Stenberg (2012). "Plant-mediated effects of different Salix species on the performance of the braconid parasitoid Perilitus brevicollis". Biological Control. 60: 54–58. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2011.09.004.
- ^ J. Stenberg; A. Lehrman; C. Björkman (2010). "Uncoupling direct and indirect plant defences: Novel opportunities for improving crop security in willow plantations". Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 139 (4): 528–533. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2010.09.013.
- ^ C. Björkman; S. Höglund; K. Eklund & S. Larsson (2000). "Effects of leaf beetle damage on stem wood production in coppicing willow". Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 2 (2): 131–139. doi:10.1046/j.1461-9563.2000.00058.x. S2CID 85412547.
- ^ Helbig, C.; Müller, M.; Landgraf, D. (2011). "Insect pests in short rotation coppice in Germany—An overview of their effects, risk potential and control measures". Short Rotation Forestry and Agroforestry: An Exchange of Experience between CDM Countries and Europe. Benwood Project Consortium. pp. 46–56. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.432.2300.