Plagiodera versicolora grows to 2.5 - 4.8 mm in length and is metallic blue or green, occasionally purplish to black in colour.[2]
Habitat
Plagiodera versicolora lives in various habitats, but usually near water.[2] Adults feed on leaves and pollen of willow and poplar trees, especially Salix fragilis ('crack willow').[2][3] It is predated by the shieldbug Zicrona caerulea, several ladybird species and the larva of a hoverfly (Parasyrphus sp.).
Life cycle
Adults overwinter under logs, loose bark and among vegetable litter near the host plant and become active during April.[4] Fully developed larvae may be found from June onwards and pupation occurs under the leaves of the host plant.[4] Freshly emerged adults occur from mid-July and fly in hot weather, occasionally found far from their hosts, especially along river margins.[4]
Distribution
It is fairly common in central and southern England, with scattered records from Wales and Ireland and no records from Scotland.[2] It has been introduced in North America.[5]
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