Insects Feeding
on this Plant:
____________
Heterostipa spp. (Porcupine Grass, Needle Grass) [Poaceae]
(These grasses are also referred to as Stipa spp. Observations are from DeLong, Vickery & Kevan, Natural History Museum, ScaleNet)
Homoptera (Sucking Insects)
Cicadellidae: Laevicephalus minimus Dlg1948, Pendarus magnus Dlg1948; Pseudococcidae: Heterococcus arenae (Sand Mealybug) [found underneath leaf sheaths; this insect is more common in western USA, although it also occurs in Missouri & New Jersey] SN2014, Heterococcus nudus (Naked Grass Mealybug) [found on the crown & underneath leaf sheaths of host plants; this insect is widely distributed in northern USA & California] SN2014
Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Skippers, & Moths)
Hesperiidae: Hesperia dacotae (Dakota Skipper) [extirpated in Illinois, this insect is found NW of the state] NHM2010, Hesperia leonardus (Leonard's Skipper) NHM2010
Orthoptera (Grasshoppers)
Acrididae: Arphia conspersa (Speckle-winged Grasshopper) [this grasshopper is found in open areas, often sandy or gravelly] VK1985, Chloealtis abdominalis (Thomas' Broad-winged Grasshopper) [this grasshopper is found in open wooded areas, dry slopes, and grassy areas] VK1985