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Poplar and willow borer

by R. Garbutt and J. W. E. Harris

Introduction

The poplar and willow borer, Cryptorhynchus lapathi (Linnaeus), is a medium sized weevil whose larvae bore in stems, primarily of willow and poplar species. Introduced from Europe in the late 1800s, it now occurs across the central latitudes of North America. In British Columbia attacks are focused primarily in young willow stems, which are often killed by larval feeding. Other species are occasional-ly attacked. Historically, the insect has caused significant economic damage only when ornamental trees in urban areas have been attacked.

For more information, see the Poplar and willow borer Forest Pest Leaflet in the Canadian Forest Service bookstore.