Creosote-bush
Guides
Asphondylia apicata
Creosote Apex Gall Midge
Asphondylia apicata is a gall midge species in the family Cecidomyiidae, first described by Gagné in 1990. Like other members of its genus, it induces distinctive galls on host plants through a poorly understood mechanism involving chemical manipulation of plant hormones. The genus Asphondylia is notable for inducing galls on creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and other plants, with multiple species often specializing on a single host species. The specific epithet "apicata" refers to the apex or tip of plant structures where galls may form.
Asphondylia auripila
Large Creosote Gall Midge
Asphondylia auripila is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae that induces stem galls on creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). It is part of a species group of 15 closely related Asphondylia species that have partitioned creosote bush ecologically, with different species inhabiting leaves, stems, buds, and flowers. A. auripila specifically occupies the stems, forming distinctive pom-pom-like galls. The larvae develop within these plant-generated structures, which provide both shelter and nutrition.
Asphondylia diervillae
Asphondylia diervillae is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae. It is one of approximately 15 species of Asphondylia flies that induce galls on creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The larvae develop within plant tissue, manipulating host plant development to form protective galls.
Asphondylia florea
Creosote Flower Gall Midge
Asphondylia resinosa
Creosote Resin Gall Midge
Asphondylia resinosa is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae that induces distinctive resinous galls on creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). The species was described by Gagné in 1990 and is one of approximately 15 Asphondylia species known to induce galls on creosote bush. Like other gall midges, the larva develops inside the plant tissue, with the gall providing both shelter and nutrition. The specific epithet 'resinosa' refers to the resinous character of the galls it produces.
Bootettix
creosote bush grasshoppers
Bootettix is a genus of slant-faced grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, first described by Bruner in 1889. The genus contains at least two described species, including Bootettix argentatus, commonly known as the creosote bush grasshopper. Species in this genus are associated with arid environments in southwestern North America. The genus is classified within the subfamily Gomphocerinae and tribe Acrolophitini.
Clematodes
creosotebush grasshoppers
Clematodes is a genus of North American short-horned grasshoppers comprising two described species. Both species are associated with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) habitats in arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The genus is placed in the subfamily Copiocerinae and tribe Clematodini. Species within this genus show specialized host plant relationships with Larrea species.
Clematodes vanduzeei
papago creosotebush grasshopper
Clematodes vanduzeei is a species of short-horned grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the papago creosotebush grasshopper. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Arizona and northwestern Mexico. The species was described by Hebard in 1923 and is classified within the subfamily Copiocerinae. Two subspecies are recognized: C. v. vanduzeei and C. v. papago.
Diapheromera covilleae
creosote bush walkingstick
Diapheromera covilleae, the creosote bush walkingstick, is a wingless stick insect endemic to the Sonoran Desert region. Adults range from 5–10 cm in length with pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are larger, grey in coloration, and 3–4 cm longer than males, which are brown. The species exhibits strong host-plant fidelity to creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and related desert vegetation. It is strictly nocturnal and highly cryptic, making detection difficult despite being locally abundant.
Digrammia colorata
creosote moth
Digrammia colorata, commonly known as the creosote moth, is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae. It is native to arid regions of western North America where its larvae feed on creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), a relationship reflected in its common name. The species has been documented in Middle America and North America according to distribution records. It is one of approximately 4,000 species in the genus Digrammia, which are generally small to medium-sized moths with cryptic coloration.
Eupompha
Eupompha is a genus of blister beetles (family Meloidae) comprising approximately 14 described species distributed in arid regions of North America. Members of this genus are characterized by their association with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and other desert plants, on which adults feed and aggregate in mating pairs. The genus belongs to the tribe Eupomphini, which includes other genera with similar desert-adapted ecologies.
Eupompha fissiceps
Cleft-headed Blister Beetle
Eupompha fissiceps is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, commonly known as the cleft-headed blister beetle. The species occurs in arid regions of southwestern North America and Central America. Adults have been observed feeding on creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) flowers, often in mating aggregations. The specific epithet 'fissiceps' refers to a characteristic division or cleft in the head structure.
Hornosus larreae
A dung beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, recorded from arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species is associated with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) habitats, as indicated by its specific epithet. Little is known of its biology beyond collection records.
Insara covilleae
Creosote Bush Katydid
Insara covilleae, commonly known as the creosote bush katydid, is a phaneropterine katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae. The species was described by Rehn & Hebard in 1914 and is found in North America, with confirmed records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. The common name reflects its association with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), which serves as a primary host plant. The species is part of the genus Insara, which contains several bush katydid species found in arid and semi-arid regions.
Ligurotettix
Clicker Grasshoppers
Ligurotettix is a genus of clicker grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Gomphocerinae, containing at least two described species: L. coquilletti (desert clicker grasshopper) and L. planum (Pecos clicker grasshopper). Members are known for their distinctive acoustic territorial displays. The genus is distributed across southwestern North American deserts.
Ligurotettix coquilletti
desert clicker grasshopper, creosote bush grasshopper
A slant-faced grasshopper species specialized on creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) across the southwestern deserts of North America. Males are highly territorial, defending individual host plants as mating territories through acoustic stridulation. The species exhibits a distinctive evening chorus behavior and maintains a color polymorphism (banded and uniform morphs) shaped by predation pressure. Females oviposit in bare soil away from host plants, and the species undergoes winter egg diapause.
Perarthrus linsleyi
Perarthrus linsleyi is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Knull in 1942. The species is associated with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) in arid and semi-arid environments. Adults feed on creosote bush flowers and mate on flowers and foliage. The species exhibits a scramble competition mating system characterized by male-wide ranging search behavior and absence of resource or mate defense.
Thyridopteryx meadii
Creosote Bush Bagworm, Creosote Bagworm
Thyridopteryx meadii is a North American bagworm moth endemic to the Mojave Desert and adjacent arid regions. Unlike its widespread congener T. ephemeraeformis, this species exhibits extreme host specialization, feeding exclusively on creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). The species was named in honor of entomologist T. L. Mead, who collected the type specimen in California. Its life history is tightly coupled to the phenology of its host plant and regional rainfall patterns rather than following a fixed annual cycle.
Trachusa larreae
Trachusa larreae is a solitary bee in the family Megachilidae, tribe Anthidiini. It is an oligolectic specialist pollinator of Larrea tridentata (creosote bush), with documented nesting biology and immature stages. The species occurs in arid regions of North and Central America where its host plant is present.
Trichoton sordidum
Trichoton sordidum is a small, flightless darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) native to the Sonoran Desert borderlands of southern Arizona and northern Mexico. The species exhibits sophisticated behavioral thermoregulation, including photonegativity and temperature-dependent activity patterns. Under resource limitation or environmental stress, individuals form adhesive aggregations or physical clumps of 2–10 beetles as a threat evasion mechanism. Dispersal follows cohesive patterns consistent with Minimum Risk Distribution models.
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