Cottonwood
Guides
Agrilus granulatus
granulate poplar borer
Agrilus granulatus, commonly known as the granulate poplar borer, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found across North America and is strongly associated with Populus species as its larval host. The species has been divided into four subspecies, with the nominate form A. g. granulatus restricted to areas east of the Rocky Mountains. Adults are typically collected by beating branches of host plants, particularly those showing recent dieback.
Agrilus granulatus granulatus
Eastern Cottonwood Borer
Agrilus granulatus granulatus is a jewel beetle subspecies restricted to eastern North America east of the Rocky Mountains. Adults are commonly associated with cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra 'Italica'), where they can be found on branches of host plants. The species is frequently confused with A. quadriguttatus, which breeds on willow rather than poplar. This subspecies represents the nominate form of A. granulatus, with other populations assigned to separate subspecies.
Agrilus granulatus populi
Poplar jewel beetle, Poplar buprestid
Agrilus granulatus populi is a subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, associated with cottonwood and poplar trees (Populus spp.) across North America. It is one of several subspecies assigned to A. granulatus, with the nominate form A. g. granulatus restricted to the eastern United States east of the Rocky Mountains. This wood-boring beetle develops in dead or dying branches of its host plants and is commonly collected by beating branches onto a sheet.
Anthocoris musculus
minute pirate bug
Anthocoris musculus is a species of minute pirate bug in the family Anthocoridae, found across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. At 3.4–4.0 millimeters, it is notably larger than many congeners. The species is associated with cottonwood, willow, and other deciduous trees and shrubs, and has been documented as a predator of red mites and eye-spotted bud moth in orchard settings.
Buprestis confluenta
Yellow-spotted Jewel Beetle
Buprestis confluenta is a striking metallic wood-boring beetle distinguished by its emerald green to coppery-brown coloration with dense, more or less confluent yellow flecks across the elytra. The species is primarily associated with dead cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) in central and western North America. Despite the abundance of suitable host trees in some regions, it remains uncommonly encountered and is considered elusive by collectors. Adults are typically found on large, dead, barkless cottonwood trunks.
Chrysomela confluens
Chrysomela confluens is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. Research demonstrates that this species exhibits dramatically elevated abundance in plant hybrid zones between cottonwood species (Populus), where staggered leaf phenologies create 'phenological sinks' that concentrate beetle populations. The species depends on newly flushed leaves for optimal growth and reproduction, and its distribution is strongly tied to host plant phenology rather than host plant taxonomy alone.
Diceroprocta azteca
Verdant Plain Flag-Bearer
A cicada species in the family Cicadidae with a documented range spanning Central America, North America, and South America. First recorded in Kansas in 2009, representing a northward range expansion from previously known southern distributions. Associated with riparian habitats, particularly where cottonwood trees occur.
Eriophyes neoessigi
cottonwood catkin gall mite
Eriophyes neoessigi is an eriophyid mite species commonly known as the cottonwood catkin gall mite. It is documented on iNaturalist with 168 observations. The species belongs to the genus Eriophyes, which includes gall-forming mites that induce characteristic plant deformities. Unlike the related Eriophyes dimocarpi, which causes witches' broom disease in longan trees, E. neoessigi is associated with cottonwood (Populus spp.) and specifically targets catkins.
Phyllonorycter deserticola
Phyllonorycter deserticola is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae, described by Davis & Deschka in 2001. It inhabits restricted, mostly arid environments across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species is notable for its specialized leaf-mining larvae that feed exclusively on Populus species, including several cottonwood and hybrid poplars. Adults are active from late July through early October in two generations per year, with the second generation overwintering.
Phyllonorycter nipigon
Balsam Poplar Leaf Blotch Miner
Phyllonorycter nipigon is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is widespread across northern North America, with larvae that create blotch mines in leaves of various Populus species. Adults are active in late summer and fall, with one generation per year. The species is named after Lake Nipigon in Ontario, Canada.
Plectrodera scalator
Cottonwood Borer
Plectrodera scalator, commonly known as the Cottonwood Borer, is a large and striking longhorned beetle (Cerambycidae) native to North America. It is the sole species in the genus Plectrodera. Adults are immediately recognizable by their robust body and distinctive checkered pattern of dense white pubescence on a glossy black background. The species is strongly associated with cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and other Populus species, where adults are most frequently encountered. Despite being described as common in the Great Plains, direct observations remain relatively infrequent, possibly due to cryptic behavior against foliage backgrounds.
Thecabius populimonilis
Bead-like Cottonwood Gall aphid
Thecabius populimonilis, commonly known as the Bead-like Cottonwood Gall aphid, is an aphid species in the family Aphididae. It induces distinctive galls on cottonwood trees (Populus species). The species exhibits a complex life cycle involving alternation between primary and secondary host plants.