Host-specialist
Guides
Aceria nyssae
Black Tupelo Gall Mite
Aceria nyssae is an eriophyid gall mite that induces distinctive leaf curl galls on Nyssa sylvatica (black tupelo, sour gum). The mite's feeding activity causes leaf margins to curl inward, forming hollow pockets that shelter the mites and their eggs. This species exemplifies the highly specialized host relationships typical of Eriophyoidea, where individual species are often restricted to a single plant host genus. The galls are most evident on young leaves at branch tips during the growing season. Like other eriophyid mites, A. nyssae is extremely small and difficult to observe directly, with populations typically assessed through gall symptoms rather than mite counts.
Acmaeodera mariposa
Mariposa Jewel Beetle
Acmaeodera mariposa is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Horn in 1878. The species is found in North America and comprises two subspecies: A. m. mariposa and A. m. dohrni. It belongs to a group of jewel beetles associated with Cercocarpus (mountain mahogany) host plants in western North America, with confirmed breeding records from dead branches of this plant genus.
Acmaeodera mariposa dohrni
Acmaeodera mariposa dohrni is a subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is one of approximately two dozen buprestid species associated with Cercocarpus (mountain mahogany) in western North America. The species is part of the Acmaeodera mariposa complex, which includes the nominate subspecies A. m. mariposa. This subspecies has been confirmed breeding in dead branches of Cercocarpus ledifolius and is among five buprestid species exclusively associated with this host genus.
Acmaeodera plagiaticauda
Acmaeodera plagiaticauda is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1878. It is one of approximately two dozen North American Buprestidae species associated with Cercocarpus (mountain mahogany), a genus of shrubs and small trees in the rose family. Nine species in this association have been confirmed as breeding within dead branches of Cercocarpus, with five species, including A. plagiaticauda, having been recorded exclusively from this host genus. The species is distributed in western North America, particularly in mountainous regions where its host plant occurs.
Acmaeodera rubrocuprea
Acmaeodera rubrocuprea is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Westcott & Nelson in 2000. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. It has been confirmed as breeding exclusively within dead branches of Cercocarpus ledifolius (curl-leaf mountain mahogany), making it one of five buprestid species associated exclusively with this host genus. The specific epithet 'rubrocuprea' refers to its reddish-copper coloration.
Acronicta hamamelis
witch hazel dagger moth, puzzling dagger moth
Acronicta hamamelis is a noctuid moth first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. The species is closely associated with witch-hazel (Hamamelis), which serves as the larval host plant. It occurs in eastern North America, with records from Canada and the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States. The common name "puzzling dagger moth" reflects historical identification challenges.
Adela singulella
fairy longhorn moth
Adela singulella is a species of fairy longhorn moth (family Adelidae) endemic to California. Described by Walsingham in 1880, it is distinguished by the extreme sexual dimorphism in antennae length typical of the family—males possess antennae up to three times the length of their forewings. The species has a restricted but disjunct distribution across coastal and montane regions of California, with larval development tied specifically to two Gilia species (Polemoniaceae).
Agonopterix senicionella
Agonopterix senicionella is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, described by August Busck in 1902. It is restricted to the eastern United States, with records from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. The species is a specialist herbivore whose larvae feed exclusively on Packera aurea, a plant formerly classified as Senecio aureus. Adults are recognized by their distinctive wing pattern of dark ochrous gray with brownish suffusion and characteristic black discal dots.
Agrilus sapindi
native soapberry borer, Golden Soapberry Borer
Agrilus sapindi is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Knull in 1938. It is commonly known as the native soapberry borer or Golden Soapberry Borer. The species is found in North America and is associated with soapberry (Sapindus drummondii) as its host plant.
Agrilus turnbowi
mistletoe buprestid
Agrilus turnbowi is a small metallic wood-boring beetle described from southern Texas in 1990. It is notable as the first buprestid species documented to develop in mistletoe, specifically within dead stems of Phoradendron tomentosum parasitizing mesquite. The species exhibits purplish-red coloration with complex patterns of golden setae on the elytra, traits shared with related Mexican species A. andersoni and A. howdenorum that also associate with mistletoe hosts.
Anaea troglodyta floridalis
Florida Leafwing
Anaea troglodyta floridalis is a federally endangered subspecies of butterfly endemic to southern Florida. It is one of the most imperiled butterflies in North America, with populations restricted to pine rockland and tropical hardwood hammock habitats in Miami-Dade County and Everglades National Park. The subspecies is highly dependent on its host plant Croton linearis for larval development. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and fire suppression have contributed to its decline, with remaining populations concentrated in protected areas.
Anotia fitchi
ball-nosed planthopper
Anotia fitchi is a rare, flightless or weakly-flying planthopper species endemic to North American tallgrass prairies. Adults measure less than 5 mm in length but can leap up to 35 inches—approximately 250 times their body length—making them among the most prodigious jumpers relative to size in the insect world. The species was historically known from scattered records across 16 U.S. states and Ontario, Canada, but 90% of all collected specimens come from a single 12-year study in Iowa prairies. Its distinctive inflated, spherical beak may function in intraspecific communication.
Aristotelia
twirler moths
Aristotelia is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as twirler moths. These microlepidoptera are characterized by their tiny size yet bold, exotic-looking markings. The genus contains approximately 35 named species in North America north of Mexico, with many additional species awaiting formal description. Aristotelia moths are attracted to blacklights and are frequently encountered during nocturnal insect surveys. Each species specializes on a particular host plant, though collectively the genus utilizes many plant families.
Arytainilla spartiophila
Broom psyllid
Arytainilla spartiophila is a psyllid (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) introduced as a biological control agent for invasive Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius). It feeds on phloem sap of its host plant and has been subject to post-establishment host specificity studies to assess safety and efficacy. The species is native to Europe and has been introduced to other regions for biocontrol purposes.
Bucculatrix enceliae
Bucculatrix enceliae is a minute moth in the family Bucculatricidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1963. The species is restricted to the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from California and Arizona. Adults are active in spring, and the larvae are specialized leaf miners of Encelia farinosa, a desert shrub in the sunflower family.
Calligrapha pruni
Calligrapha pruni is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, described by W.J. Brown in 1945. It is found in North America, with records from Ontario and Québec in Canada. Like other members of the genus Calligrapha, it is likely a host specialist, though specific host plant associations for this species are not documented in the provided sources.
Ceroptres
Ceroptres is a genus of gall wasps in the tribe Ceroptresini (Cynipidae). The genus includes 43 described species, of which 40 are known from North America. Ceroptres species are inquilines: they do not induce their own galls but instead oviposit into galls formed by other organisms. Host galls are primarily those induced by other gall wasps (Cynipini), though some species use galls formed by gall midges (Cecidomyiidae). Species are host specialists, typically associated with a single host gall species or with several phylogenetically or ecologically related galls.
Chrysobothris seminole
Chrysobothris seminole is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described in 2007 as part of a revision of the Chrysobothris femorata species-group. It is notable as the only member of this species-group associated with a non-woody host plant. The species has a highly restricted distribution in the southeastern United States and is considered rare, with only a few individuals documented at its type locality.
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.
Coleophora kalmiella
Coleophora kalmiella is a small case-bearing moth in the family Coleophoridae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1936. The species is endemic to eastern Canada, with confirmed records from Nova Scotia. Larvae are specialized feeders on Kalmia species (sheep laurel and related Ericaceae), constructing distinctive composite leaf cases from host plant material. The specific epithet reflects this obligate host association.
Corythucha
lace bugs
Corythucha is a large genus of lace bugs (family Tingidae) comprising approximately 75 described species, primarily distributed in the northern hemisphere including North America, Europe, and eastern Asia. Members of this genus are small, sap-sucking true bugs characterized by their distinctive reticulated, lace-like forewings and pronotal expansions. Several species are economically significant pests of ornamental and crop plants, including the sycamore lace bug (C. ciliata), oak lace bug (C. arcuata), cotton or bean lace bug (C. gossypii), and chrysanthemum lace bug (C. marmorata). Some species exhibit notable behavioral traits such as maternal care (C. hewitti). The genus has been subject to extensive invasion biology research due to the rapid spread of several species through human-mediated transport and natural dispersal.
Crossidius grahami
Ohoopee Dunes Crossidius Beetle
Crossidius grahami is a longhorned beetle (Cerambycidae) described in 2013 from southern Georgia. It is restricted to a highly specific host plant, woody goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa), a perennial asteraceous shrub of coastal sand dunes and scrub. The species was discovered incidentally when collectors reared adults from root crowns while attempting to rear a different undescribed cerambycid. Adults are found primarily on lower stems of living plants.
Disonycha
Disonycha is a genus of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) containing approximately 170 species distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Species in this genus are herbivorous, with many showing strong host plant specializations including passion vines (Passiflora), willows (Salix), and legumes. Some species exhibit eruptive population dynamics and at least two passion vine specialists have been documented practicing egg cannibalism (conspecific oophagy) by adults—a behavior first reported for the subfamily Galerucinae.
Drasteria occulta
occult drasteria moth, Occult Graphic
Drasteria occulta is a small erebid moth first described by Henry Edwards in 1881. It is known from coastal areas in the eastern and southern United States, with scattered records from Maine to Texas. The species has experienced significant regional decline and is considered extirpated in Connecticut. Larvae are specialized feeders on Vaccinium species.
Esperanza texana
Esperanza texana is a broad-headed bug and the sole described species in the genus Esperanza. It belongs to the family Alydidae, a group of true bugs characterized by their expanded, triangular heads. The species has been documented in Texas and surrounding regions, with confirmed host plant associations on Senna species (Leguminosae). Fifth-instar nymphs have been described morphologically, indicating nymphal development occurs directly on host plants.
Ethmia brevistriga
Ethmia brevistriga is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, endemic to California. Adults are active from March to mid-May. The species exhibits distinct wing patterning with a white line on dark brown forewings, and has two recognized subspecies showing habitat-related color variation. Larvae are specialized feeders on Phacelia distans.
Gnorimoschema shepherdiae
Gnorimoschema shepherdiae is a small gelechiid moth described by Ronald J. Priest in 2014. It is distributed across northern North America from Yukon to Michigan. The species is a leaf-mining specialist on Shepherdia canadensis, with larvae that feed internally on host plant foliage.
Ichneumon centrator
centrator wasp
Ichneumon centrator is a North American endoparasitic ichneumonid wasp first described by Thomas Say in 1825. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in coloration and is notable for its highly specialized host relationship with a single caterpillar species. Females overwinter as adults and require the sperm stored from autumn matings to fertilize eggs laid the following spring.
Macrotylus
Macrotylus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, subfamily Phylinae, first described by Fieber in 1858. The genus comprises at least 60 described species distributed across multiple continents, with documented occurrences in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Species within this genus exhibit considerable morphological variation, particularly in coloration and male genitalia structure. Some species are host-plant specialists with documented associations to specific plant families.
Mompha undescribed-species-on-crocanthemum
An undescribed species in the genus Mompha (family Momphidae) associated with the plant genus Crocanthemum. The species remains formally undescribed in scientific literature. Its host relationship with Crocanthemum distinguishes it from described congeners.
Neohydronomus
waterlettuce weevils
Neohydronomus is a genus of subaquatic weevils comprising three species native to South and Central America. All species are obligate specialists on waterlettuce (Pistia stratiotes), an invasive floating aquatic plant. The genus has been utilized as a biological control agent, with N. affinis successfully introduced to Florida in 1987 to manage waterlettuce infestations.
Papaipema inquaesita
sensitive fern borer, Sensitive Fern Borer Moth
Papaipema inquaesita is a noctuid moth commonly known as the sensitive fern borer. The species is notable for its specialized larval association with sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis), from which its common name derives. It belongs to the genus Papaipema, a group of borers that typically infest herbaceous plants and ferns.
Papaipema lysimachiae
Loosestrife Borer, Loosestrife Borer Moth
Papaipema lysimachiae, commonly known as the Loosestrife Borer, is a North American moth in the family Noctuidae. The species is notable for its specialized larval association with Lysimachia quadrifolia, where larvae bore into stems and roots. Adults are active in late summer and autumn.
Photedes inops
spartina borer moth
Photedes inops is a noctuid moth native to North America, commonly known as the spartina borer moth. Its larvae feed on Spartina pectinata, with host plant association appearing exclusive. The species holds conservation status as a species of special concern in Connecticut.
Phyllobrotica
skeletonizing leaf beetles, flea beetles
Phyllobrotica is a genus of leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, containing at least 18 described species in North America. Members are small, often brightly colored beetles known as skeletonizing leaf beetles and flea beetles. Most North American species are extreme host specialists, feeding almost exclusively on plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae), particularly genera Scutellaria and Stachys. One species, P. physostegiae, has been documented on Physostegia, representing an unusual host transfer to a related mint family genus in dry prairie habitats.
Phyllobrotica circumdata
skeletonizing leaf beetle
Phyllobrotica circumdata is a skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is among the rarest leaf beetles in Missouri, with most records consisting of eight specimens collected in the late 1970s. The species has a broad North American distribution but is infrequently encountered. It is a host specialist, feeding on plants in the genus Scutellaria (skullcaps) in the mint family.
Phyllobrotica costipennis
skeletonizing leaf beetle
Phyllobrotica costipennis is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species was described by George Henry Horn in 1893. It is recorded from North America, though specific details about its distribution, host plants, and biology remain poorly documented compared to congeners. Like other Phyllobrotica species, it likely exhibits strong host plant specialization.
Phyllobrotica decorata
Phyllobrotica decorata is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is distributed across North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba) and the United States. Like other members of the genus Phyllobrotica, it is believed to be a host specialist, though specific host plant associations for this species remain poorly documented compared to congeners.
Phyllobrotica lengi
Phyllobrotica lengi is an exceptionally rare leaf beetle endemic to eastern North America. First described by Blatchley in 1910, this species remained virtually unknown in Missouri until a small series was collected in 1988 on Scutellaria parvula. It is one of the rarest beetles in Missouri, with only four historical specimens known prior to the 1988 collection. Like other Phyllobrotica species, it is an extreme host specialist, feeding exclusively on skullcap plants (Scutellaria).
Phyllobrotica nigritarsis
Phyllobrotica nigritarsis is a rare leaf beetle (Chrysomelidae) endemic to the central United States. The species was historically known from only four specimens collected in Missouri during the late 1800s until a small series was collected in 1987. It is an extreme host specialist, feeding exclusively on Scutellaria parvula (small skullcap), a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Like other Phyllobrotica species, it inhabits wet bottomland habitats rather than dry prairies.
Phyllobrotica sequoiensis
Phyllobrotica sequoiensis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Blake in 1956. It is found in North America, though specific details about its distribution, habitat preferences, and biology remain poorly documented. The genus Phyllobrotica comprises highly host-specialized beetles, with most species feeding exclusively on plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae), particularly the genera Stachys and Scutellaria.
Polychrysia morigera
disjunct looper
Polychrysia morigera, known as the disjunct looper, is a small noctuid moth notable for being the rarest Plusiinae species in North America. It occurs in three geographically isolated populations: river valleys of the eastern United States, the Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific coast. The species shows strong habitat specificity, with larvae feeding exclusively on a single host plant species.
Prodoxus marginatus
Prodoxus marginatus is a small moth in the family Prodoxidae, endemic to California. It is the smallest species in the genus Prodoxus, with a wingspan of 8–12 mm. The species inhabits coastal chaparral and montane dry shrubby grassland habitats. Larvae feed on Yucca whipplei, indicating a specialized host relationship with this yucca species.
Pyreferra ceromatica
Anointed Sallow, anointed sallow moth
Pyreferra ceromatica, the anointed sallow moth, is a noctuid moth native to North America. The species was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1874. Northern populations, including those in Connecticut, are believed to be extirpated; the state lists it as a species of special concern. Southern populations persist and remain associated with witch-hazel host plants.
Schinia diffusa
Schinia diffusa is a small noctuid moth species described by Smith in 1891. The species is characterized by a wingspan of 23–28 mm and is known to occur in North America, with confirmed records from Colorado and Texas. Larvae feed specifically on Machaeranthera annua, an annual asteraceous plant. Like other members of the genus Schinia, adults are likely associated with the flowers of their larval host plants.
Stigmella
pygmy leaf-mining moths
Stigmella is a large genus of minute moths in the family Nepticulidae, commonly known as pygmy leaf-mining moths. Adults typically measure 2–6 mm in wingspan, making them among the smallest Lepidoptera. The genus is characterized by larvae that feed internally in leaf mines of diverse host plants. Many species exhibit narrow host specificity, with individual species restricted to particular plant genera or families. Stigmella contains hundreds of described species distributed across temperate and tropical regions worldwide.
Telamona ampelopsidis
Virginia Creeper Treehopper
Telamona ampelopsidis, commonly known as the Virginia Creeper Treehopper, is a Nearctic treehopper species in the family Membracidae. The species is named for its association with Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), its primary host plant. Like other members of the genus Telamona, it possesses an enlarged, often keeled pronotum that extends backward over the body. The species is one of approximately 38 recognized species in the genus Telamona.
Tetraopes skillmani
Skillman's Milkweed Longhorn
Tetraopes skillmani is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) described in 2004 from Arizona. It belongs to the milkweed beetle genus Tetraopes, whose members are obligate specialists on Asclepiadaceae host plants. The type locality is near Duquesne in southeastern Arizona, where collectors found its host plant Sarcostemma sp. but did not encounter the beetles during the initial survey.
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.