Elm leaf beetles are a serious threat to all elm trees. The adults eat small circular holes in the leaves. The larvae skeletonize leaves, eating the underside of the leaf while leaving the veins and upper surface. Heavy infestations will cause the leaves to brown, dry out and fall prematurely. The elm leaf beetle doesn’t usually kill the elm tree, but it stresses the tree, making it more susceptible to other pests, diseases and wind injury, and causes quite the eyesore. Elm leaf beetles can also be pests indoors when they seek shelter in homes for the winter.