Castanea
Guides
Atymna castaneae
Atymna castaneae is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Asa Fitch in 1851. It is a specialist herbivore restricted to chestnut trees (Castanea spp.), feeding on both the American chestnut (C. dentata) and Allegheny chinquapin (C. pumila). The species epithet directly reflects this host association. Its historical distribution across eastern North America has been impacted by the decline of its primary host due to chestnut blight.
Harmandiola
Harmandiola is a genus of gall midges (family Cecidomyiidae) comprising 14 described species distributed across the Holarctic region. These small flies are notable for inducing galls on woody host plants, specifically species of poplar (Populus), chestnut (Castanea), and hickory (Carya). The genus was established by Skuhravá in 1997. Species-level taxonomy has been revised multiple times, with several species transferred from related genera.
Macrodiplosis castaneae
Macrodiplosis castaneae is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae. The species is associated with chestnut trees (Castanea spp.), though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. It was described by Stebbins in 1910 and is currently listed as a synonym of Harmandiola castaneae in some taxonomic databases.
Nematus castaneae
Nematus castaneae is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. It is associated with chestnut trees (Castanea spp.), though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species is part of a community of insects historically linked to American chestnut (Castanea dentata), which experienced severe population decline following the introduction of chestnut blight fungus in the early 20th century. Like other Nematus species, it likely has a holometabolous life cycle with larval stages that feed on host plant foliage.
Phyllonorycter kearfottella
Phyllonorycter kearfottella is a minute leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, with a wingspan of approximately 7 mm. The species is restricted to the eastern and northwestern United States, where its larvae create blotch mines on leaves of Castanea species. It was described by Annette Braun in 1908.
Synanthedon castaneae
Chestnut Clearwing Moth
A clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, Synanthedon castaneae is a specialist associated with Castanea (chestnut) trees. The species is part of a guild of insects that historically relied on American chestnut (Castanea dentata) as a host, and like other members of this community, has been affected by the decline of this keystone tree species due to chestnut blight. The common name reflects this host association.