Host-associated-differentiation
Guides
Hesperotettix viridis
snakeweed grasshopper, meadow purple-striped grasshopper, green-streak grasshopper
Hesperotettix viridis is a medium-sized, spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, native to North America. It is an oligophagous species specialized on composite plants (Asteraceae), particularly snakeweeds (Gutierrezia spp.), goldenrods (Solidago spp.), and rabbitbrushes. Populations show host-associated genetic differentiation, with distinct lineages adapted to different host plants. The species has been investigated as a potential biological control agent for invasive snakeweeds. Four subspecies are recognized, varying in wing length and geographic distribution.
Hesperotettix viridis viridis
Snakeweed Grasshopper
Hesperotettix viridis viridis, the Snakeweed Grasshopper, is a medium-sized, oligophagous grasshopper endemic to North America that feeds primarily on composite plants (Asteraceae) in the tribe Astereae. It is notable for its host plant-associated genetic differentiation, with populations on different host plants showing significant genetic structuring. The subspecies has long wings capable of dispersal and exhibits specialized foraging behavior responsive to local food depletion.
grasshopperMelanoplinaespecialist-herbivorehost-associated-differentiationbiological-controlrangelandAsteraceaeoligophagousphytophilousecological-speciationNorth-AmericaWyomingColoradoNew-MexicoKansassnakeweedGutierreziaSolidagoAFLPpopulation-geneticsforaging-behaviordispersalsubspecies-viridis-viridisMordellistena convicta
tumbling flower beetle, gall-boring beetle, inquiline beetle
Mordellistena convicta is a gall-boring beetle in the family Mordellidae, described by LeConte in 1862. The species is an inquiline that inhabits galls induced by the goldenrod gall fly (Eurosta solidaginis) on goldenrod plants (Solidago spp.). It has been studied as a model system for sequential radiation and host-associated speciation, with populations showing differentiation corresponding to the host races of their gall fly associates. Adults use olfactory cues from gall tissues to locate suitable host plants for mating and oviposition.
Pseudatomoscelis
Pseudatomoscelis is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Poppius in 1911. The genus contains at least four described species, with P. seriatus (cotton fleahopper) being the most economically significant due to its status as a major pest of cotton in the southern United States. Species in this genus are associated with diverse host plants, including both agricultural crops and native wild plants.
Rhinusa antirrhini
toadflax seedhead weevil, toadflax capsule weevil, seed-gall weevil, Toadflax Seed Weevil
Rhinusa antirrhini is a seed-parasitic true weevil (Curculionidae) native to Europe that has been introduced to North America. It specializes on toadflax species (Linaria spp.), particularly Dalmatian toadflax (L. dalmatica) and yellow toadflax (L. vulgaris). Despite intentional redistribution as a biological control agent in the 1990s, it has not proven effective at suppressing invasive toadflax populations. Population genetic studies reveal host-associated genetic differentiation driven by associations with different Linaria species.