Elm Leaf Beetle: A Major Pest is Now Uncommon

Elm leaf beetles frequently defoliated elm trees in landscapes, parks and along streets in the 1970s, 1980s and mid 1990s, eliminating shade and weakening these important components of California's urban forests. Fortunately, the elm leaf beetle has been in decline since the late 1990's. Although the beetles and their larvae are still found, defoliation is uncommon and treatment rarely required. The reason for this change in pest status is unknown. A revised Pest Note: Elm Leaf Beetle by entomologists Steve Dreistadt, UC Statewide IPM Program and Andrew Lawson, California State University Fresno, provides information on identification and biology of the pest and guidelines for management should the beetle become a problem in your neighborhood.