The scientific name *Criocris quatordecimpunctata* (Scopoli) belongs to the order Coleoptera, commonly known as beetles. It is also referred to as the leaf aphid or thin-necked leaf beetle. This species is distributed across several provinces in China, including Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Beijing, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shaanxi, and Guangxi.
The primary host plants of this beetle include wheat, cypress, and asparagus. The larvae are particularly damaging, feeding on the stems or leaves of wheat, which can significantly interfere with the plant's photosynthesis process.
Morphologically, the adult beetle has a long oval shape, with a body length ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 mm for northern specimens and 6.1 to 7.1 mm for southern ones. The width is approximately 2.5 to 3.2 mm. The coloration is generally brown or reddish-brown, with black spots scattered across the body. The head, around the eyes, and the antennae are black, while the rest of the body is maroon. The front part of the head has distinct black markings, and the antennae have short, thick segments. The prothoracic plate is slightly longer than it is wide. The first half of the elytra features four dark spots arranged in an L-shape, with one spot located at the base center. The small scutellum has a black tongue-like marking, and each elytron has seven spots—three at the base, two in the middle shoulder, and two at the back.
The eggs are white to light yellow-green when laid, turning darker over time. They measure about 1.25 mm in length and 0.25 mm in width. The larvae are oligopod, meaning they have few legs. Upon hatching, they appear grayish-yellow to greenish-brown, with black heads, thoraxes, and mouthparts. By the second instar, they turn milky yellow. Mature larvae reach a length of about 6 mm, with a swollen abdomen and a dark yellowish appearance. After the third instar, their heads and thoraxes become thinner.
The adults are approximately 5-6 mm long and 2.5-2.9 mm wide, with bright yellow coloration. Their antennae, legs, and wings are clearly visible. These beetles are often found in soil near wheat fields or under winter wheat residues. They emerge in mid-to-late March and early April in Hunchun, with egg-laying occurring in mid-April.
In terms of life cycle, in Shandong and North China, there are typically 3-4 generations per year, while in Tianjin, there are 4-5, and in Shaanxi, up to 5 generations. Adults remain underground during the winter and emerge in spring. Eggs hatch within 3-9 days, and the larval stage lasts 7-10 days, with four instars in total. The second generation occurs from late June to early September, with peak activity in early August. The third generation runs from mid-August to mid-October, and the fourth generation appears in autumn, when temperatures drop and rainfall decreases.
Under average daily temperatures of 20°C, the pre-oviposition period is about 3 days, and the adult lifespan can exceed 50 days, sometimes reaching over 100 days. Adults are capable of short-distance flight and exhibit a pseudo-dead behavior, making them difficult to detect. Larvae move slowly and enter a feeding phase after the fourth instar. Once mature, they burrow into the soil up to 2 cm deep. Adults can lay eggs 3-4 days after mating, typically in the junctions between leaves or on young foliage.
For control, spraying solutions such as 20% chlorimethanol at 2000 times dilution, 50% acephate WP at 2000 times, 40.7% emamectin benzoate at 1500 times, 50% phoxim EC at 1500 times, or 2.5% thiamethoxam at 2500 times are recommended. These methods help manage infestations effectively when applied correctly.
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