Aspen trees behind our cabin near Fairplay are loaded with the black leaf eating bugs - Ask Extension
Hopefully you can identify these bugs from the attached photos and advise what we can do.
Knowledgebase
Aspen trees behind our cabin near Fairplay are loaded with the black leaf eating bugs #797839
Asked June 25, 2022, 7:49 PM EDT
Hopefully you can identify these bugs from the attached photos and advise what we can do.
Park County Colorado
Expert Response
I think these are aspen leaf beetles, which occurs throughout North America. I don't think they are very common here. They have lots of natural enemies including birds and other insects, which often take care of the problem but not before some leaf damage can occur. An insecticide treatment would stop the problem quickly, but would be difficult and expensive especially if you need to protect a lot of trees.