Larva Click for more information about adult viburnum leaf beetles
Click for more information about viburnum leaf beetle larvae Click for more information about viburnum leaf beetle eggs.

Viburnum Leaf Beetle
Guide to identifying viburnums

Is it a viburnum?

Viburnum leaf
beetle home

Guide to identifying Viburnums

  • Common names


  • Is it a viburnum?


  • Which viburnum?


  • Express key


  • ID tutorial


    • Guide to viburnums by David Swaciak.

    Leaf drawings by
    Marcia Eames-Sheavly.

    Logo images by Paul Weston & Craig Cramer

         		Look at the twig between the petioles (leaf stems). (This is best seen on newest growth.)
    7A1. If the base of the petioles are
    not connected by a line (right), you do not have a viburnum.
    7A2. If the base of the petioles
    are connected by a line (easier to see on older twigs), go to 8.     		Detail of line between buds. Click for larger, labeled image.
    Click for larger, labeled image.


    Tip: Not all viburnums have a line between the petioles.

    If you chose 7A1 above, your plant is most likely a:
    • Butterfly bush (Buddleia sp.)
      More information, pictures from UConn

    • Beautyberry (Callicarpa sp.)

      • More information, pictures from Cornell | UConn
    • Beautybush (Kolkwitzia sp)
      More information, pictures from Cornell | UConn
    • Amur Privet (Ligustrum amurense sp.)
      More information, pictures from Cornell | UConn
    • Border Privet (Ligustrum obtusifolium sp.)
      More information, pictures from Cornell | UConn
      Search UConn for more Ligustrum species
    • Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica sp.) More information, pictures from Cornell | UConn
    • Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula sp.) More information, pictures from Cornell | UConn

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    Project coordinator: Lori Brewer, ljb7@cornell.edu
    Website design: Craig Cramer cdc25@cornell.edu

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