Syneta beetle

Syneta beetles are metallic green and about one-quarter inch long. Adults skeletonize leaves on flowering Prunus species and some ornamental shrubs, leaving only the leaf veins. Damage appears as lacy, translucent foliage in summer. Heavy feeding can result in wholesale defoliation of small plants or branch dieback on larger trees.

Encourage natural parasitoids and predators by maintaining flowering plants nearby and avoiding pesticides. Hand-pick beetles from smaller plants during active feeding. For severe defoliation, prune affected branches below the feeding damage. Spinosad applied to foliage when adults are most active (mid to late June) provides suppression without harming beneficial insects.