Host-plant-specialist
Guides
Anthemurgus passiflorae
passion flower bee
A small solitary bee in the family Andrenidae, Anthemurgus passiflorae is a monolectic specialist that forages exclusively on yellow passionflower (Passiflora lutea). It is one of the few andrenid bees with a published chromosome-level genome assembly, making it valuable for studying the genomic basis of host-plant specialization and pollinator conservation.
Aristotelia
twirler moths
Aristotelia is a genus of micro-moths in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as twirler moths. These small, boldly marked moths are primarily nocturnal and attracted to artificial light sources. The genus contains approximately 35 named species in North America, with additional undescribed species awaiting scientific description. Larvae are specialized feeders on particular host plants, with diverse plant families including Salicaceae, Solanaceae, Rosaceae, Fagaceae, Fabaceae, and Asteraceae documented as hosts across different species.
Ceratomia
Ceratomia is a genus of hawkmoths (family Sphingidae) erected by Thaddeus William Harris in 1839. The genus contains seven recognized species distributed primarily in North America. Several species are notable for their specialized host plant associations, particularly with Catalpa and Fraxinus (ash). Ceratomia catalpae, the catalpa sphinx, is among the best-studied species due to its chemical sequestration of the iridoid glycoside catalpol from host plants, which provides defense against predators but not against its specialist parasitoid Cotesia congregata. Ceratomia undulosa, the waved sphinx, is an ash specialist whose populations are threatened by emerald ash borer-induced host decline.
Clematodes larreae
gray creosotebush grasshopper
Clematodes larreae, commonly known as the gray creosotebush grasshopper, is a North American short-horned grasshopper in the family Acrididae. The species exhibits a documented association with creosote bush (Larrea), from which its specific epithet is derived. Research has identified host plant usage including a newly recorded host in Texas.
Dyseuaresta mexicana
Dyseuaresta mexicana is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Wiedemann in 1830. It occurs from the southern United States through Central America and the West Indies. Host plant records document associations with Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed) and Mikania scandens (climbing hempweed) in Florida.
Eumaeus atala
Atala, Atala butterfly, Atala hairstreak, coontie hairstreak
The Atala butterfly is a small, colorful lycaenid butterfly unique within its range for its aposematic coloration and exclusive association with cycad host plants. Once considered the most conspicuous insect in South Florida in 1888, it was believed extinct by the 1950s due to overharvesting of its sole native host plant, coontie (Zamia integrifolia), for starch production. Rediscovered in 1979 on a Miami barrier island, the species has recovered dramatically through conservation efforts and the popularity of coontie as an ornamental landscape plant, becoming common enough in southeast Florida to occasionally be regarded as a pest. The butterfly sequesters toxic cycasin compounds from its host, rendering all life stages unpalatable to predators.
butterflyhairstreakLycaenidaecycadcoontieZamiaaposematic-colorationchemical-defenseconservationendangered-species-recoveryFlorida-endemicpine-rocklandhost-plant-specialistsequestrationurban-wildlifeornamental-pestfreeze-dried-dietex-situ-conservationreintroductionfire-dependent-ecosystemnative-plant-landscapingcycasin-toxicitymultivoltineterritorial-malescorematasound-producing-pupaeLoxostege allectalis
Wolfberry Loxostege Moth
Loxostege allectalis is a small crambid moth described by Grote in 1877. It occurs from southern California through Texas and south into Mexico and Central America. The species has a wingspan of 21–26 mm and is active from March to September. Its larvae feed specifically on Lycium berlandieri.
Papilio canadensis
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
A medium-sized swallowtail butterfly with yellow and black striped wings, found across northern North America. Adults fly during spring and summer with a single annual brood. The species was formerly considered a subspecies of Papilio glaucus but is now recognized as distinct based on morphological and genetic differences. It exhibits regional adaptation to climate, with northern populations showing faster development rates in cooler temperatures.
Plebejus icarioides missionensis
Plebejus icarioides missionensis is a subspecies of the Mission blue butterfly, a federally endangered lycaenid butterfly endemic to a restricted range in coastal California. The subspecies is part of a complex that has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some authorities placing it in the genus Icaricia. Its habitat consists of coastal grasslands and scrub where its larval host plant, silver lupine (Lupinus albicaulis), occurs. The subspecies has been impacted by urban development, invasive plants, and fire suppression.