Asteraceae-specialist
Guides
Aristotelia ivae
Aristotelia ivae is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by August Busck in 1900. It is native to the southeastern United States, with confirmed records from Florida and Georgia. The species was introduced to Australia in 1969 as a biological control agent for the invasive weed Baccharis halimifolia. Its larvae feed specifically on Iva frutescens in its native range.
Calycomyza eupatorivora
Chromolaena Leaf-mining Fly
A leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, Calycomyza eupatorivora was introduced to South Africa as a biological control agent for the invasive weed Chromolaena odorata. Larvae feed internally on leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines. The species exhibits distinct habitat preferences and seasonal activity patterns that influence its effectiveness as a biocontrol agent.
Chlosyne acastus
Sagebrush Checkerspot
Chlosyne acastus, the sagebrush checkerspot, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae native to western North America. Adults have a wingspan of 33–44 mm and display the characteristic orange and black checkered pattern typical of the genus. The species has one flight period annually, with adults active from May through early September. Larvae feed on specific Asteraceae host plants, with documented utilization of rabbit-brush, desert-aster, woolly sunflower, arrowleaf balsamroot, and common sunflower.
Chlosyne lacinia
Bordered Patch, Sunflower Patch
Chlosyne lacinia, commonly known as the bordered patch or sunflower patch, is a highly variable nymphalid butterfly native to North and South America. Adults display extensive color polymorphism in both wing pattern and ground color, with individuals ranging from predominantly black to those with prominent orange, red, or yellow markings. The species exhibits gregarious larval behavior, with females depositing eggs in large clusters and young larvae feeding communally before becoming solitary in later instars. It is a polyphagous herbivore with strong associations to Asteraceae, particularly sunflowers (Helianthus), and has been documented as an agricultural pest in some regions.
Craspedolepta sonchi
A psyllid species in the family Aphalaridae, associated with Sonchus (sow thistle) and related Asteraceae plants. The specific epithet 'sonchi' reflects this documented host relationship. Like other psyllids, it feeds on phloem sap and may induce gall formation on host plants.
Leucospilapteryx venustella
A small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae with a wingspan of approximately 6 mm. The species is known from eastern North America, ranging from Québec through the Atlantic states and into the Midwest. Larvae develop as leaf miners on plants in the genus Ageratina and Eupatorium urticifolium.
Lithurgus
Woodborer Bees
Lithurgus is a genus of solitary bees in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as woodborer bees. Species in this genus excavate nesting tunnels in dead wood rather than using pre-existing cavities. They are distributed across the Mediterranean Basin, Eurasia, North Africa, and parts of Asia, with some species showing recent northward range expansion. Several species have been introduced outside their native ranges, including L. chrysurus and L. huberi in the Americas.
Melissodes
long-horned bees
Melissodes is a large genus of long-horned bees in the tribe Eucerini, with approximately 129-140 described species native to the Americas. Males are named for their characteristically long antennae that extend well beyond the head. The genus exhibits diverse pollen specialization strategies, with females ranging from polylectic to oligolectic, particularly on Asteraceae. Species are economically important as crop pollinators, especially for sunflower.
Melissodes coreopsis
Tickseed Longhorn Bee
Melissodes coreopsis is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, described by Robertson in 1905. The common name 'Tickseed Longhorn Bee' reflects its association with Coreopsis flowers. Like other members of the genus Melissodes, it is a solitary ground-nesting bee that contributes to pollination of native wildflowers. Males of this genus are known to form sleeping aggregations on vegetation at night while females nest underground.
Melissodes tristis
Dark-faced Longhorn Bee
Melissodes tristis is a long-horned bee species in the family Apidae, tribe Eucerini. It is commonly known as the Dark-faced Longhorn Bee. The species occurs in North America and Central America. Like other Melissodes species, it is a solitary bee with males typically exhibiting elongated antennae.
Microrhopala rubrolineata signaticollis
Microrhopala rubrolineata signaticollis is a subspecies of hispine leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by J.L. LeConte in 1859. The genus Microrhopala comprises small leaf beetles with clubbed antennae, with several species occurring in North America. Members of this genus are herbivorous specialists typically associated with particular host plants in the Asteraceae family. This subspecies is part of the broader M. rubrolineata species complex distributed across North and Middle America.
Ozirhincus
Ozirhincus is a Palearctic genus of gall midges (family Cecidomyiidae) characterized by elongated rostra. Larvae develop within seeds of Asteraceae plants, making them seed-feeding specialists rather than typical gall-formers. The genus was revised in 2015 using both morphological and molecular data, clarifying species boundaries and relationships. Adults are small, delicate flies with distinctive elongated mouthparts adapted for accessing seed tissues.
Rifseria
Rifseria is a monotypic genus of gelechiid moths established by Hodges in 1966. The genus contains a single species, Rifseria fuscotaeniaella, distributed across western North America. The larvae are leaf miners specializing on plants in the Asteraceae family.
Schinia arcigera
Arcigera Flower Moth
Schinia arcigera is a noctuid moth commonly known as the Arcigera Flower Moth. First described by Achille Guenée in 1852, this species is widely distributed across North America. The adult moths are active during late summer and early autumn, with flight periods varying by latitude. The larvae are specialized feeders on several species of asters and related plants in the family Asteraceae.
Schinia ligeae
Schinia ligeae is a noctuid moth first described by Smith in 1893. The species is restricted to the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. Larvae feed on two specific host plants: Machaeranthera canescens and Xylorhiza tortifolia, both members of the Asteraceae family.
Schinia lynx
Lynx Flower Moth
Schinia lynx, commonly known as the lynx flower moth, is a noctuid moth native to eastern and central North America. The species exhibits a univoltine life cycle with one generation per year. Adults are associated with flowers of their host plants, where they likely rest and feed on nectar. The larval stage is specialized, feeding on two genera of Asteraceae: Erigeron and Heterotheca subaxillaris.
Schinia mortua
Schinia mortua is a small noctuid moth found across the western half of North America. Adults have a wingspan of 23–27 mm. The species is associated with host plants in the Asteraceae family, specifically Grindelia and Haplopappus, on which the larvae feed. Like many Schinia species, adults are likely flower-visiting and may be active during daylight hours.
Scrobipalpa acuminatella
pointed groundling
A small gelechiid moth with distinctive pointed forewings, found across Europe, Asia, and recently established in Canada. The species is notable for its association with thistles and related Asteraceae plants. Adults fly from spring through summer, with larvae mining or feeding on host foliage.
Svastra
long-horned bees
Svastra is a genus of long-horned bees in the family Apidae, tribe Eucerini. These solitary, ground-nesting bees are native to North America and are important pollinators of sunflowers and other members of the Asteraceae family. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with North American species formerly placed in Svastra now moved to Epimelissodes. Females construct nests in hard-packed soil with cells arranged in spiral patterns, while males are known to form nighttime sleeping aggregations on vegetation.
Svastra obliqua
sunflower bee
Svastra obliqua is a long-horned bee in the family Apidae, commonly known as the sunflower bee. It is native to Central America and North America, with three recognized subspecies. The species shows strong floral fidelity to sunflowers (Helianthus) and other members of the Asteraceae family, though it will collect pollen from various aster family plants. Males exhibit distinctive sleeping behavior, clustering on flowers or stems at night while females nest in underground burrows.
Svastra obliqua caliginosa
long-horned bee
Svastra obliqua caliginosa is a subspecies of long-horned bee in the family Apidae. It is native to North and Middle America. As a member of the Eucerini tribe, it exhibits traits typical of long-horned bees including elongated antennae in males and ground-nesting behavior. The species Svastra obliqua is known to be associated with sunflowers and members of the Asteraceae family.
Svastra obliqua expurgata
sunflower bee, long-horned digger bee, female long-horned bee
Svastra obliqua expurgata is a subspecies of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, native to western North America. It is commonly known as the 'sunflower bee' due to its strong preference for foraging on sunflowers and other members of the Asteraceae family. The species has been reclassified taxonomically, with some authorities placing North American species formerly in genus Svastra into the genus Epimelissodes. It is a solitary, ground-nesting bee that plays an important role in pollinating native and agricultural plants in its range.
Uroleucon picridis
Ox-tongue Aphid
Uroleucon picridis, commonly known as the Ox-tongue Aphid, is a species of aphid in the family Aphididae. Like other members of the genus Uroleucon, it is a sap-sucking insect that feeds on plants in the Asteraceae family. The species exhibits parthenogenetic reproduction during the growing season, with colonies consisting entirely of females. It serves as an important food source for numerous predators including lady beetles, lacewings, flower flies, and spiders, making it a significant component of garden and agricultural food webs.