Insects Feeding
on this Plant:
____________
Helianthus petiolaris (Plains Sunflower) [Asteraceae]
(Observations are from Wyoming Agr. Exp. Sta., Clark et al., Vickery & Kevan, Brust et al., Joern, Charlet & Gavloski)
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Chrysomelidae: Zygogramma exclamationis (Sunflower Beetle) [adults & larvae feed on foliage] Clk2004 CG2011; Curculionidae: Baris strenua (Sunflower Root Weevil) [adults feed on leaves & stems, larvae feed on roots] CG2011, Cylindrocopturus adspersus (Sunflower Stem Weevil) [adults feed on leaves & stems, larvae bore through stems & root crown] CG2011, Smicronyx fulvus (Red Sunflower Seed Weevil) [larvae feed on seeds] CG2011, Smicronyx sordidus (Gray Sunflower Seed Weevil) [larvae feed on seeds] CG2011
Diptera (Flies)
Cecidomyiidae: Contarinia schulzi (Sunflower Midge) [larvae feed in flowerheads] CG2011; Tephritidae: Neotephritis finalis (Sunflower Seed Maggot) [larvae feed on florets & developing seeds of flowerheads] CG2011
Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Skippers, & Moths)
Pyralidae: Homoeosoma electellum (Sunflower Moth) [larvae feed in flowerheads] CG2011; Tortricidae: Cochylis hospes (Banded Sunflower Moth) [larvae feed on florets & developing seeds, syn. Phtheochroa hospes] CG2011, Suleima helianthana (Sunflower Bud Moth) [larvae feed in leaf axils, flower buds, & receptacles of flowerheads] CG2011
Orthoptera (Grasshoppers)
Acrididae: Hesperotettix speciosus (Western Grass-Green Grasshopper) [a preferred host plant] Jor1985, Melanoplus angustipennis (Narrow-winged Sand Grasshopper) [this grasshopper is found in sandy grasslands] Wy1994 VK1985 BHW2008, Melanoplus bivittatus (Two-striped Grasshopper) Wy1994 Jor1985, Melanoplus confusus (Little Pasture Grasshopper) [minor host plant] Jor1985, Melanoplus flavidus (Yellowish Spur-throated Grasshopper) [this grasshopper is found in open sandy areas] VK1985 BHW2008, Melanoplus foedus (Striped Sand Grasshopper) Wy1994