Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

The common snowberry Symphoricarpos albus is alien and invasive species that comes from western part of North America. The aim of this study was aquiring knowledge on beetle species composition associated with common snowberry and determining character of these relations. In the period of 2019–2022 infestation of ligneous common snowberry stems were examined; data on flower-visiting and leaves consuming beetles on this plant was collected. Around 50 breedings of youth developmental stages from collected and infested common snowberry stems were conducted. The study was carried out on 24 research areas located in 6 geographical regions. The number of 33 indirectly and directly related with common snowberry beetle species were recorded. The collected material was divided into two groups: 1) species boring in ligneous stems, 2) overwintering in dead stems. Within xylophagous beetles developing in common snowberry stems the most commonly recorded were Agrilus cyanescens (Buprestidae) and Dasytes plumbeus (Melyridae). A. cyanescens was noted on 12 from 24 research areas, whereas D. plumbeus was detected on 6 areas. In case of 12 species belonging to 10 families the development in common snowberry was documented. S. albus was recorded as new host plant for larvae of 11 beetle species. Development of rare species across Poland in common snowberry was recorded: Choragus sheppardi (Anthribidae) and Lissodema denticolle (Salpingidae). The most common beetle species that overwinters in stems was Oulema melanopus (Chrysomelidae) recorded on 6 localities. Feeding on pollen or on parts of common snowberry inflorescences was recorded for 25 beetle species belonging to 13 families. The only species limiting common snowberry expansion and invading natural habitats is A. cyanescens. This could result in decomposition of stems or even whole shrubs.