Poplar
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.
Aphis maculatae
Spotted Poplar Aphid
Aphis maculatae, commonly known as the Spotted Poplar Aphid, is a species of aphid in the family Aphididae. First described by Oestlund in 1887, this small sap-sucking insect belongs to the large genus Aphis, which contains numerous agricultural and horticultural pest species. Like other aphids, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts adapted for feeding on plant phloem.
Caloptilia stigmatella
Willow Leafcone Caterpillar Moth
A small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae with a wingspan of 12–14 mm. Adults display distinctive red-brown forewings with a triangular white median costal blotch marked with blackish dots, and grey hindwings. The species has two adult flight periods annually and larvae feed on leaves of willows, poplars, and bog myrtle. It occurs across the Holarctic region, excluding the Balkan Peninsula.
Crepidodera populivora
Poplar Flea Beetle
A flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Parry in 1986. The specific epithet suggests an association with Populus (poplar), though detailed ecological studies remain limited. It belongs to a genus of small flea beetles known for their jumping ability.
Dicerca tenebrica
Flat-headed Poplar Borer, Flatheaded Wood Borer
Dicerca tenebrica is a large jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) found in Canada and the northeastern and southern United States. Adults are brassy to black in coloration and active from March through November. The species is primarily associated with poplar species (Populus), particularly balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), and has also been recorded from conifers in Alberta including lodgepole pine, jack pine, and white spruce. Larvae are wood-borers in living or recently dead trees.
Dorytomus
Willow Weevils
Dorytomus is a genus of weevils established by Ernst Friedrich Germar in 1817. Species in this genus are primarily associated with willows and poplars (Salicaceae). The genus contains at least seven species, with distribution records spanning Europe, Asia, and North America. Dorytomus chinensis was recorded from Russia for the first time in 2023.
Enargia decolor
Pale Enargia, Aspen Twoleaf Tier Moth
A noctuid moth with boreal-transcontinental distribution across North America, primarily associated with trembling aspen and related poplar species. Adults are active in late summer, with larvae capable of reaching outbreak densities that cause extensive defoliation of host stands. The species shows a disjunct western distribution pattern that may represent cryptic diversity.
Euhexomyza schineri
Poplar Twiggall Fly
Euhexomyza schineri, commonly known as the poplar twiggall fly, is a small gall-forming fly in the family Agromyzidae. The species induces smooth, circular galls on poplar twigs, with larvae developing inside before pupating in late winter to early spring. It has been recorded across North America, with additional reports from Europe and Asia. The species is associated with multiple Populus species, with quaking aspen (P. tremuloides) as the primary host.
Fenusella
Fenusella is a genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae, subfamily Feninae. Species in this genus are known as leaf-miners, with larvae feeding internally on poplar leaves (Populus species). The genus occurs in the Palearctic region, with records from Europe, Scandinavia, and extending into Iran.
Gypsonoma aceriana
poplar shoot-borer, Rosy Cloaked Shoot
Gypsonoma aceriana is a small tortricid moth whose larvae bore into poplar and maple shoots, causing economic damage in plantations and nurseries. Native to Europe, it ranges eastward through Russia to Turkey, Iraq, and North Africa. The species has been introduced to Japan, where it exhibits two to three generations annually. It is a significant pest of ornamental poplars, with older larvae destroying terminal shoots and causing bushy, unmarketable growth in young trees.
Idiocerus
Idiocerus is a large genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Lewis in 1834. The genus is taxonomically challenging, with many species exhibiting similar morphology that complicates identification. Species are predominantly associated with woody host plants, particularly poplars (Populus) and willows (Salix), though some species have been documented as pests of mango (Mangifera indica) in India. The genus has a broad distribution across the Holarctic region, with numerous species in both Europe and North America.
Pachypappa
Pachypappa is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, first described by Koch in 1856. The genus is currently considered valid, though some sources list it as a synonym of Cornaphis. Species are distributed across Europe and North America, with confirmed records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Pemphigus populicaulis
Poplar Leaf-base Gall
Pemphigus populicaulis is a gall-forming aphid species that induces distinct galls at the leaf bases of poplar trees. As a member of the genus Pemphigus, it exhibits the typical life cycle of root-gall aphids, alternating between primary hosts (Populus species) and secondary hosts (often roots of herbaceous plants). The species was described by Fitch in 1859 and is widely distributed across North America. It is frequently referenced in historical literature on gall aphids but has been subject to taxonomic confusion with related Pemphigus species.
Pemphigus populiramulorum
Poplar Twig Gall Aphid
Pemphigus populiramulorum is a gall-forming aphid in the family Aphididae, known from poplar (Populus) hosts. It induces distinctive twig galls on its primary host. The species has a complex life cycle involving host alternation, though specific secondary host details are not well documented in available sources. It has been confused with other root-feeding Pemphigus species in informal literature.
Pemphigus populivenae
Sugarbeet Root Aphid
Pemphigus populivenae is a root-feeding aphid in the family Aphididae, commonly known as the Sugarbeet Root Aphid. It belongs to the genus Pemphigus, which comprises gall-forming and root-feeding aphids primarily associated with poplar (Populus) species as primary hosts. The species has been historically documented in North America since the mid-19th century. Like other Pemphigus species, it exhibits a complex life cycle involving host alternation between poplar trees and secondary herbaceous hosts.
Pterocomma populeum
Poplar Bark Aphid
Pterocomma populeum is an aphid species specialized on poplar trees (Populus spp.). It forms dense colonies on branches and in bark crevices, feeding on phloem sap. The species relies on the obligate endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola to obtain essential amino acids absent from its carbohydrate-rich diet. Heavy infestations can cause shoot dieback in poplar plantations.
Smerinthus
Eyed Hawkmoths
Smerinthus is a Holarctic genus of hawkmoths in the family Sphingidae, containing approximately 12 recognized species. Adults are characterized by prominent eyespots on the hindwings and forewing patterns that resemble dried leaves. Adults possess reduced or absent mouthparts and do not feed. Larvae feed on a variety of host plants in the families Salicaceae and possibly others.
Trichiocampus
Trichiocampus is a genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae. The genus includes species associated with poplar trees (Populus spp.), with at least one species, T. viminalis, known to cause significant defoliation during population outbreaks. Members occur across a broad circumpolar distribution spanning Europe and northern North America.
Trichiosoma
Hairy-clubhorn Sawflies
Trichiosoma is a genus of large-bodied sawflies in the family Cimbicidae, comprising more than 30 described species. These insects are commonly known as Hairy-clubhorn Sawflies, reflecting their robust, often hairy appearance. Adults are active during summer months and are associated with woody vegetation. Larvae are solitary herbivores that feed on leaves.