Insects Feeding
on this Plant:
____________
Silphium terebinthinaceum (Prairie Dock) [Asteraceae]
(observations are from Clark et al., Henderson & Sauer, Blackman & Eastop, Charlet & Gavloski, Natural History Museum)
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Chrysomelidae: Microrhopala laetula Clk2004; Mordellidae: Mordellistena aethiops [larvae bore through flowering stems] HS2010; Curculionidae: Smicronyx sordidus (Gray Sunflower Seed Weevil) CG2011
Homoptera (Sucking Insects)
Aphididae: Iowana frisoni [found at leaf axils & in ant shelters at the bases of flowering stems; this aphid has been observed in Iowa & Illinois] BE2013
Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps, & Sawflies)
Cynipidae: Antistrophus meganae [larvae in flowering stems] HS2010, Antistrophus minor [larvae live in flowering stems] HS2010
Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Skippers, & Moths)
Noctuidae: Papaipema silphii (Silphium Borer Moth) [larvae bore through stems & roots] NHM2010