 The beetle and the beetle's larval host is the grey or speckled alder ("Alnus incana") and to a lesser extent black alder ("Alnus glutinosa"), but it will also be found on hazel, birch or hornbeam if there is a shortage of food.It causes large holes and gaps in leaves from the end of April onwards, which are produced by the larvae in the first two stages, but the main damage is produced by larvae in the third stage.Previously rare, and considered extinct in the UK, since being found in Manchester in 2004 it appears to be on the increase in the North West of England.