Out on my hike, taking in all that Mother Nature has to show me this morning. Something catches my eye. It’s a Larger Elm Leaf Beetle (Monocesta coryli). A beautiful beetle in its remarkable colors, various shades of yellow and metalic blue-green.

No surprise this beetle is often found on Elm trees but also on Dogwood, Hazelnut, Pecan, River Birch, Plum, and Hawthorn trees. Both the larval stage as well as adults will feed on soft leaf tissue, leaving the tough veins.

Nature provides a remedy though. Parasitic Tachinid Flies, predaceous Stink Bugs and Plant Bugs are all natural enemies of this beetle.

So much to see. So much to learn.

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