Water lily leaf beetle
Galerucella nymphaeae · Aquatic life
Whole animal · Photo: Matt Berger / CC BY
Also called Waterlily leaf beetle, Galerucella, Pyrrhalta nymphaeae
How to identify Water lily leaf beetle
- Small, brownish yellow beetle about 1/4 inch on top of lily pads
- Larvae are dark, shiny and slug like with yellowish undersides
- Chew winding trails and holes in the upper surface of floating leaves
- Yellow egg clusters laid on top of the pads
Similar species
Aquatic caterpillars feed under the pads, often inside cut leaf cases. Water lily aphids are tiny, soft and dark green to brown in crowded clusters.
Profile
| Season | Adults appear in late spring; several generations through summer; adults overwinter on shore. |
|---|---|
| Starts | Feeding starts when lily pads reach the surface |
| Depth | On top of floating leaves |
| How it spreads or reproduces | Winged adults fly between ponds |
| Habitat | Water lilies and spatterdock (yellow pond lily) in ponds and lakes; sometimes smartweeds. |
Why it matters in a lake
Can riddle ornamental and native lily pads by midsummer. Damage is mostly cosmetic and the plants regrow.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Occasional
- Oregon: Occasional
- Wyoming: Rare
Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae |
| Scientific name | Galerucella nymphaeae |
Midge larvae (bloodworms)
Mosquito larvae
Dragonfly nymphs
Damselfly nymphs
Water boatmen
Backswimmers
Predaceous diving beetles
Water striders
Mayfly nymphs
Caddisfly larvaeNeed a hand?
Found it in your lake?
Send us a photo and we will identify it and tell you what it means for your lake.
Idaho / Wyoming (208) 501-4531Oregon (541) 280-0596