Ericameria-nauseosa
Guides
Agrilus walsinghami
Agrilus walsinghami is a sexually dimorphic jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) found across western North America. It is among the most visually striking species in its genus, with males exhibiting bronzy-brown and brassy coloration while females are uniformly blue to greenish-blue. Adults are active during late summer and early fall, an unusual seasonality for wood-boring beetles in this region. The species is strongly associated with gray rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), which is presumed to serve as its larval host despite the absence of confirmed rearing records.
Archytas aterrimus
Archytas aterrimus is a species of tachinid fly in the family Tachinidae. The species was originally described as Jurinia aterrima by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830 before being transferred to the genus Archytas. Tachinid flies in this genus are generally parasitoids of other insects. The species has been documented in field observations on flowers of Ericameria nauseosa (rubber rabbitbrush) in the southwestern United States, where it has been noted as a large, black, bristly fly occurring alongside other tachinid species.
Juriniopsis adusta
Juriniopsis adusta is a species of tachinid bristle fly found across North America. It is a common and widespread member of the family Tachinidae, frequently observed visiting flowers of Ericameria nauseosa (rubber rabbitbrush) in the western United States. The species is one of the most frequently encountered tachinids in this habitat, often appearing in large numbers during late summer and early fall. Its broad distribution spans from southern Canada through the United States and into Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.
Juriniopsis aurifrons
Juriniopsis aurifrons is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, first described by Brooks in 1949. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other tachinid flies, it is likely a parasitoid, though specific host records remain undocumented. Adults have been observed visiting flowers, particularly those of rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa).
Rhopalomyia chrysothamni
chrysanthemum gall midge
A gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae that induces small, conical-tubular stem galls on rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa, formerly Chrysothamnus nauseosus). Research demonstrates that female attack rates and gall development are strongly influenced by host plant water and nutrient availability, with a documented trade-off between gall quantity and quality.
Trirhabda nitidicollis
Rabbitbrush Beetle, Rabbitbrush Leaf Beetle
Trirhabda nitidicollis is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in western North America, where adults feed on rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa). The species is commonly encountered in pinyon-juniper woodland habitats during summer months.
Typocerus balteatus
flower longhorn
Typocerus balteatus is a species of flower longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, first described by Horn in 1878. It is native to North America and has been documented in the southwestern United States, particularly in association with flowering plants in montane habitats. The species belongs to the subfamily Lepturinae, a group characterized by adults that frequently visit flowers for nectar and pollen.