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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

    9A1. If the leaf margin (edge) is entire (smooth, no teeth) and the underside is smooth, you do not have a viburnum.
    9A2. If the leaf margin has teeth or if the margin is entire but the underside is pubescent (velvety covering under magnification), you have a viburnum.

    Go to Which viburnum is it?
    Close up of pubescence on the underside of a leaf.  Click for larger image.
    Click for larger image
    of pubescence on the underside of a leaf.


    Tip: See the ID tutorial for more about leaf pubescence.

    If you chose 9A1 above, your plant is most likely a:
    • Fringe tree (Chionanthus sp.)
      More information and pictures from: Cornell | UConn
    • Dogwood (Cornus sp.)
      Search these databases for Cornus: Cornell | UConn
    • Shrubby St. Johnswort (Hypericum prolificum)
      More information and pictures from: Cornell | UConn
    • Honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.)
      Search these databases for Lonicera: Cornell | UConn
    • Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus sp.)
      More information and pictures from: UConn
    • Lilac (Syringa sp.)
      Search these databases for Syringa: Cornell | UConn
    Remember: You are not required to identify viburnums all the way to species before submitting your observations via our online forms. As long as you are confident that you have a viburnum, you can enter your data now. We hope that you will try to identify the species so that we can learn more about which ones are most resistant to this pest. To try to identify your viburnum to species, continue with Which viburnum is it?



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

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