Coastal-wetland
Guides
Hyperaspidius
Hyperaspidius is a genus of lady beetles in the family Coccinellidae, established by Crotch in 1873. The genus contains at least 20 described species. One species, Hyperaspidius venustulus, has been documented in association with mealybugs on big cordgrass in coastal wetland habitats. Members of this genus are rarely collected and appear to be specialists on particular host plants and their associated herbivores.
Ophraella notulata
Marsh Elder Leaf Beetle
Ophraella notulata is a Nearctic skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, found in Gulf Coast states of the United States and Mexico. It was previously described as O. integra (LeConte), now synonymized with O. notulata (Fabricius). The species is specialized on host plants in the Asteraceae family, primarily Iva frutescens (marsh elder), with documented ability to utilize Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) as an alternative host. Research has demonstrated complex transgenerational effects of host plant on offspring fitness and behavior.