Insects Feeding
on this Plant:
____________
Verbesina alternifolia (Wingstem) [Asteraceae]
(A scientific synonym of this plant is Actinomeris alternifolia. Observations are from the Microleps website, Clark et al., Rider, Hottes & Frison, Bouseman & Sternburg, Needham et al., Plakidas, Felt, Opler & Krizek, Pepper, Spencer & Steyskal, Ford & Jackman, Natural History Museum, ScaleNet)
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Chrysomelidae: Brachypnoea clypealis Clk2004; Mordellidae: Mordellistena aspersa [larvae bore through stems] FJ1996, Mordellistena rubrifascia [larvae bore through stems] FJ1996
Diptera (Flies)
Agromyzidae: Melanagromyza verbesinae [larvae are stem-borers; found in Ohio & Tennessee] SS1986; Cecidomyiidae: Cecidomyia verbesinae [larvae form globose bud galls] Flt1917, Neolasioptera incisa [larvae form tapered galls on branchlets] Plk1994, Neolasioptera verbesinae [larvae form large tapered galls on basal portion of stems] Plk1994
Heteroptera (True Bugs)
Pentatomidae: Acrosternum hilaris (Green Stink Bug) [polyphagous] Rid2009, Euschistus servus [polyphagous] Rid2009, Euschistus tristigma tristigma Rid2009, Euschistus variolaria Rid2009
Homoptera (Sucking Insects)
Aphididae: Uroleucon ambrosiae (Brown Ambrosia Aphid) [possible misidentification of aphid] HF1931, Uroleucon rurale HF1931 Pp1965; Pseudococcidae: Dysmicoccus mcdanieli [feeds on lower surface of leaves; this insect has been found in Missouri] SN2014
Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Skippers, & Moths)
Gracillariidae: Cremastobombycia ambrosiaeella [larvae are leaf-miners] Ndm1928 NHM2010, Cremastobombycia ignota [larvae are leaf-miners] Mic2010 Ndm1928 NHM2010; Lycaenidae: Celastrina neglecta (Summer Azure) [larvae feed on flowerheads] OK1984 NHM2010; Noctuidae: Basilodes pepita (Gold Moth) [larvae feed on flowerheads, oligophagous] NHM2010; Nymphalidae: Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) BS2001 OK1984 NHM2010; Oecophoridae: Agonopterix eupatoriiella NHM2010