Insects Feeding
on this Plant:
____________
Vernonia missurica (Missouri Ironweed) [Asteraceae]
(observations are from Rider, Natural History Museum, and Wilhelm & Rericha)
Diptera (Flies)
Cecidomyiidae: Neolasioptera vernoniae [larvae cause ellipsoid swellings on leaf midribs] WR2017
Heteroptera (True Bugs)
Pentatomidae: Euschistus tristigmus tristigmus Rid2009
Homoptera (Sucking Insects)
Aphididae: Aphis vernoniae (Ironweed Aphid) [found on upper stems & young foliage] WR2017; Membracidae: Publilia reticulata [found on midribs of lower leaf surface or upper stems] WR2017
Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps, Ants, & Sawflies)
Formicidae: Crematogaster cerasi [this ant feeds on the honeydew secreted by the Ironweed Aphid, Aphis vernoniae, when the latter feeds on this ironweed] WR2017, Dolichoderus mariae [this ant feeds on the honeydew secreted by the Ironweed Aphid, Aphis vernoniae, and the treehopper, Publilia reticulata, when the latter feed on this ironweed] WR2017, Dolichoderus pustulatus [this ant feeds on the honeydew secreted by the treehopper, Publilia reticulata, when the latter feeds on this ironweed] WR2017, Lasius alienus [this ant feeds on the honeydew secreted by the treehopper, Publilia reticulata, when the latter feeds on this ironweed] WR2017, Myrmica AF-smi [this ant feeds on the honeydew secreted by the treehopper, Publilia reticulata, when the latter feeds on this ironweed] WR2017
Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Skippers, & Moths)
Gelechiidae: Dichomeris washingtoniella NHM2010