Ericameria
Guides
Aciurina bigeloviae
Cotton-gall Tephritid
Aciurina bigeloviae is a gall-inducing tephritid fly native to western North America that forms distinctive white, woolly 'cotton' galls on Ericameria nauseosa (rabbitbrush), specifically the variety graveolens. The species was originally described as Trypeta bigeloviae by Cockerell in 1890. It exhibits Type I wing pattern morphology and produces spherical cotton galls that serve as microhabitats for complex arthropod communities. The species is sister to A. trixa, with which it occurs sympatrically in New Mexico, though the two species produce markedly different gall types.
Aseptis susquesa
Aseptis susquesa is a noctuid moth described by John Bernhardt Smith in 1908. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, inhabiting rocky desert and mountain-desert transition zones. Adults fly in spring, and larvae feed on specific desert shrubs.
Collops nigritus
Collops nigritus is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, subfamily Malachiinae. The genus Collops comprises predatory beetles commonly found on flowers where they feed on other small insects. Members of this genus are recognized as important natural enemies in agricultural systems, particularly in cotton and other crops, where they contribute to biological control of pest populations. Collops nigritus specifically has been documented as occurring in the southwestern United States and is associated with flowering plants in arid and semi-arid habitats.
Crossidius coralinus
Red and Black Long-horned Beetle
Crossidius coralinus is a strikingly colored longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by LeConte in 1862. Adults emerge in late August and September to feed and mate on yellow flowers of their larval host plant, gray rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa). The species exhibits extensive geographic variation in coloration and size, with numerous described subspecies and locally distinct populations across western North America. Some populations display bright red and black coloration, while others are orange and black.
Crossidius coralinus coralinus
Crossidius coralinus coralinus is the nominate subspecies of a striking longhorned beetle endemic to western North America. Adults are active during late August and September, when they congregate on yellow flowers of their larval host plant, Ericameria nauseosa (gray rabbitbrush). The nominate subspecies is characterized by relatively large body size and extensive black markings on the elytra, particularly in females. It occurs in the southwestern Colorado region near Cortez, where some individuals exceed 20 mm in length.
Crossidius coralinus temprans
Crossidius coralinus temprans is a subspecies of longhorned beetle in the tribe Trachyderini, described by Linsley & Chemsak in 1961. It is distinguished from other C. coralinus subspecies by its deep red coloration with faint bluish overtones, relatively fine but dense elytral punctation, and smaller average size. Females exhibit broadly expanded black elytral patterns extending along the suture to at least the basal third of the elytra and black humeri connected by a basal band, while males typically show reduced black markings. The subspecies occurs in sagebrush grasslands of western Nevada and Lassen County, California, where adults are found on flower heads of gray rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa).
Fishia nigrescens
Fishia nigrescens is a noctuid moth species described in 2013, found in arid regions of the western United States. Adults are active in late fall, primarily October. The species name refers to the dark, charcoal gray forewing coloration. Larvae have been documented feeding on Ericameria nauseosa, a shrub in the sunflower family.
Ponometia altera
Ponometia altera is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of approximately 21 mm. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically in New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The larvae feed on Ericameria species, a genus of shrubs in the sunflower family.
Rhopalomyia ericameriae
Rosette Bud Gall Midge
Rhopalomyia ericameriae is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, commonly known as the Rosette Bud Gall Midge. The species induces distinctive gall formations on host plants. As a member of the genus Rhopalomyia, it belongs to one of the most diverse genera of gall midges, with many species specialized on Asteraceae hosts.
Schinia albafascia
Schinia albafascia is a noctuid moth in the genus Schinia, a diverse group of flower-associated moths known for their colorful appearance and specialized host plant relationships. The species occurs in western North America from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast. Adults are active from mid-summer through early autumn. The larvae feed specifically on Ericameria nauseosa, a shrubby member of the sunflower family.
Schinia argentifascia
Schinia argentifascia is a small moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Barnes & McDunnough in 1912. It is known from arid regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. The species is associated with Ericameria (rabbitbrush) as a larval host. Like other members of the genus Schinia, adults likely rest on or near their host plant flowers.
Schinia unimacula
Rabbitbush Flower Moth
A small flower moth in the family Noctuidae with a wingspan of approximately 25 mm. Adults are active from July to October across the western United States. The species is closely associated with rabbitbrush (Ericameria) as its larval host plant.