Pachybrachis peccans

Associated with willow (Salix) habitats. Larvae occur in leaf litter containing dead willow leaves at ground level.

North America. Documented from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick) and the United States.

Adults emerge in late May, with oviposition occurring June–July. Larvae develop through summer and fall, reaching penultimate or final instar by late autumn. Overwintering occurs in a sealed case, with pupation the following spring (probably early May).

Adults feed on living willow (Salix) leaves. Larvae feed on dead willow leaves in leaf litter.

• Salix - adult food plant; larval food source (dead leaves)Larvae feed on dead leaves in leaf litter; adults feed on living leaves

Eggs laid June–July. Larvae develop through multiple instars in leaf litter, reaching penultimate or final instar by late autumn. Larvae seal their case and overwinter. Pupation occurs the following spring, probably in early May. Adults emerge in late May.

Larvae are incapable of climbing plants and remain in ground-level leaf litter. Larvae construct a portable case from fecal material and plant debris, which is sealed for overwintering. Pupation occurs within the sealed case.

Adults function as folivores on willow. Larvae act as detritivores, processing dead willow foliage in leaf litter systems.

• Pachybrachis bivittatusSimilar case-bearing leaf beetle with comparable life history; larvae share morphological features and habitat use in leaf litter

• case-bearing beetle
• willow-associated
• ground-dwelling larvae
• overwintering larvae
• detritivore

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Belostomatidae | Beetles In The Bush
• THE EGGS AND LARVAE OF PACHYBRACHIS PECCANS AND P. BIVITTATUS, WITH A KEY TO THE KNOWN IMMATURE STAGES OF THE NEARCTIC GENERA OF CRYPTOCEPHALINAE (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE)