Insects Feeding
on this Plant:
____________
Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) [Fabaceae]
(Observations are from Lattin, Rider, Knight, Wyoming Apr. Exp. Sta., Clark et al., DeLong, Milne & Milne, Campbell et al., Wagner, Hottes & Frison, Dennis, Dmitriev & Dietrich, Marshall, Covell, Bouseman & Sternburg, Bouseman et al., Cranshaw, Needham et al., Felt, Blackman & Eastop, Wheeler et al., Vickery & Kevan, Brust et al., Opler & Krizek, Pepper, Robinson & Bradley, Charlet & Gavloski, Spencer & Steyskal, Majka et al., Lundgren & Rosentrater, Wilbur, ScaleNet)
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Carabidae: Anisodactylus sanctaecrucis [eats seeds] LR2007, Harpalus pensylvanicus (Pennsylvania Ground Beetle) [eats seeds] LR2007; Chrysomelidae: Cerotoma trifurcata Clk2004, Colaspis brunnea (Grape Colaspis) [larvae feed on roots] Clk2004 Crw2004, Odontota dorsalis Clk2004; Curculionidae: Hypera postica (Alfalfa Weevil) [this Eurasian insect occurs in scattered areas of E USA & S Canada] MAM2007, Hypera punctata (Clover Leaf Weevil) [this Eurasian insect is widely distributed in North America; syn. Hypera zoilus] Msh2006 MAM2007, Rhinoncus castor [polyphagous; this Eurasian insect is widely distributed in North America] MAM2007, Sitona hispidulus (Clover Weevil) [this Eurasian insect is widely distributed in North America] MAM2007, Sitona lepidus (Lesser Clover Leaf Weevil) [adults feed on leaves, larvae feed on roots; this Eurasian insect is widely distributed in North America; syn. Sitona flavescens] MAM2007, Sitona lineellus (Alfalfa Curculio) [this Eurasian insect is widely distributed in North America] MAM2007, Smicronyx sordidus (Gray Sunflower Seed Weevil) [larvae feed on seeds] CG2011
Diptera (Flies)
Agromyzidae: Agromyza frontella (Alfalfa Blotch Leafminer) [alfalfa is a preferred host plant; found in Massachusetts, New Jersey, & New York] SS1986, Liriomyza fricki [larvae are leaf-miners; found in Wisconsin & Canada] SS1986, Liriomyza pusilla [leaf-miner, polyphagous] Ndm1928, Liriomyza trifoliearum [larvae are leaf-miners, alfalfa is a preferred host plant; found in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, & Canada] SS1986, Liriomyza trifolii [larvae are leaf-miners, polyphagous; widespread in E USA] SS1986, Metopomyza scutellata [leaf-miner, polyphagous] Ndm1928, Nemorimyza posticata [leaf-miner, polyphagous] Ndm1928; Cecidomyiidae: Asphondylia websteri (Alfalfa Gall Midge) [larvae cause seedpods to abort] Flt1917
Heteroptera (True Bugs)
Miridae: Adelphocoris lineolatus (Alfalfa Plant Bug) [feeds on flowers & newly formed seeds] Kn1941 Msh2006 WHM1983, Adelphocoris rapidus (Rapid Plant Bug) WHM1983, Adelphocoris superbus (Meadow Plant Bug) [polyphagous] MM1980, Capsus ater WHM1983, Lygus elisus (Pale Legume Bug) Kn1941, Lygus hesperus (Legume Bug) Kn1941, Lygus lineolaris (Tarnished Plant Bug) [polyphagous] MM1980; Pentatomidae: Brochymena quadripustulata (Four-Humped Stink Bug) Rid2009, Euschistus servus Rid2009, Holcostethus limbolarius Rid2009, Homaemus bijugis Lat1964
Homoptera (Sucking Insects)
Aphididae: Acyrthosiphon kondoi (Blue Alfalfa Aphid) [found on stems & leaves, introduced into North America from Asia] BE2013, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Pea Aphid) [found on young growth & developing seedpods] Crw2004 HF1931 BE2013 Pp1965 RB1965; Cercopidae: Philaenus spumaria (Meadow Spittlebug) MM1980; Cicadellidae: Empoasca alboneura [a preferred host plant] DD2010, Empoasca bifurcata DD2010, Empoasca chelata [polyphagous] DD2010, Empoasca erigeron [polyphagous] DD2010, Empoasca esuma DD2010, Empoasca fabae (Potato Leafhopper) [polyphagous] Cr2004 DD2010 Dlg1948, Empoasca recurvata [polyphagous] DD2010, Empoasca sativae [a preferred host plant] DD2010, Endria inimica (Painted Leafhopper) [not preferred as a host plant] Wlb1954, Solanasca solana DD2010, Stirellus bicolor Dlg1948; Membracidae: Campylenchia latipes [polyphagous] Den1952, Ceresa bubualus (Buffalo Treehopper) [polyphagous] Den1952, Tortistilus inermis [polyphagous] Den1952; Pseudococcidae: Pseudococcus maritimus (Grape Mealybug) [found on foliage, polyphagous; this insect is widely distributed] SN2014, Pseudococcus sorghiellus (Trochanter Mealybug) [polyphagous; this insect is widely distributed in eastern USA] SN2014
Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Skippers, & Moths)
Arctiidae: Grammia figurata (Figured Tiger Moth) Cv2005; Geometridae: Anacamptodes humaria (Small Purplish Gray) [polyphagous] Cv2005; Hesperiidae: Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper) MM1980, Erynnis funeralis (Funereal Duskywing) [found in southern IL] Bou2006, Thorybes pylades (Northern Cloudywing) Bou2006 OK1984; Lycaenidae: Everes comyntas (Eastern Tailed Blue) OK1984, Glaucopsyche lygdamus couperi (Silvery Blue) [larvae feed on flowers, found mostly in NE Illinois] BS2001, Leptotes marina (Marine Blue) [rare migrant in IL] BS2001, Lycaeides melissa (Melissa Blue) [western populations of this butterfly, not including Illinois] OK1984; Noctuidae: Agrotis venerabilis (Venerable Dart) [polyphagous] Cv2005, Caenurgina erechtea (Forage Looper Moth) Cv2005, Hypena scabra (Green Cloverworm) [syn. Plathypena scabra] Cv2005 Wg2005, Lacinipolia lorea (Bridled Arches) [polyphagous] Cv2005, Megalographa biloba (Bilobed Looper) Wg2005, Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall Armyworm) [polyphagous] Cv2005; Pieridae: Colias cesonia (Dogface Sulphur) OK1984, Colias eurytheme (Orange Sulfur) [preferred host plant] BS2001 Crw2004 Msh2006 OK1984, Colias philodice (Clouded Sulfur) [rarely selected as a host plant] BS2001 Msh2006 Wg2005 OK1984; Pyralidae: Achryra rantalis (Garden Webworm) [polyphagous] Cv2005
Orthoptera (Grasshoppers)
Acrididae: Melanoplus bivittatus (Two-Striped Grasshopper) [this grasshopper is found in weedy areas, edges of fields, & weedy pastures] BHW2008 Wy1994, Melanoplus bruneri (Bruner's Spur-throated Grasshopper) VK1985, Melanoplus dawsoni (Dawson's Grasshopper) [a preferred host plant; this grasshopper is found in woodland openings & prairies] Wy1994 BHW2008, Melanoplus differentialis (Differential Grasshopper) [this grasshopper is found in weedy areas, roadsides, abandoned fields, edges of fields, & gardens] BHW2008 Wy1994, Melanoplus femurrubrum (Red-legged Grasshopper) [polyphagous, a preferred host plant; this grasshopper is found in woodland openings, weedy areas, fields, & gardens] Cmp1974 MM1980 Wy1994 VK1985 BHW2008, Melanoplus foedus (Striped Sand Grasshopper) Wy1994, Melanoplus keeleri luridus (Keeler's Grasshopper) Wy1994 VK1985, Melanoplus packardii (Packard's Grasshopper) Wy1994, Melanoplus sanguinipes (Migratory Grasshopper) Cmp1974 Wy1994, Schistocerca lineata (Spotted Bird Grasshopper) VK1985; Gryllidae: Gryllus pennsylvanicus (Fall Field Cricket) [eats seeds sparingly, not preferred as a food plant] LR2007
Thysanoptera (Thrips)
Thripidae: Frankliniella fusca (Tobacco Thrips) Crw2004