Malvaceae
Guides
Agrilus malvastri
Agrilus malvastri is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Fisher in 1928. It is one of the few North American Agrilus species documented as routinely visiting flowers, specifically those of Sphaeralcea (globemallows). The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records from the southwestern United States including New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona. Unlike most Agrilus species, which are associated with woody plants, A. malvastri appears to be associated with herbaceous plants in the family Malvaceae.
Althaeus folkertsi
velvetleaf seed beetle
Althaeus folkertsi, the velvetleaf seed beetle, is a seed weevil in the subfamily Bruchinae (formerly treated as family Bruchidae). Adults are extremely small, measuring 1.5–2.5 mm in length. The species is associated with velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) and related mallows, developing within the seeds. It occurs in North America.
Anomis erosa
Yellow Scallop Moth, Abutilon Moth
Anomis erosa is a small moth in the family Erebidae, commonly known as the yellow scallop moth or abutilon moth. First described by Jacob Hübner in 1818, it occurs primarily in southeastern North America, with migrants occasionally reaching as far north as Manitoba, Quebec, and Maine. The species has a wingspan of approximately 27 mm. Larvae are specialized feeders on plants in the family Malvaceae, including cotton, hibiscus, and okra.
Anthonomini
Anthonomini is a tribe of weevils within the subfamily Curculioninae, comprising approximately 40 genera including Anthonomus, the type genus. Members are primarily herbivorous weevils, with many species exhibiting specific host plant associations. The tribe includes economically significant pests such as the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis) and several species associated with Malvaceae, Rosaceae, and other plant families. Species are distributed across multiple continents, with documented occurrences in the Neotropics, Nearctic, Palearctic, and Oriental regions.
Aspidapion
Aspidapion is a genus of small weevils in the family Brentidae (subfamily Apioninae), distributed across the Palaearctic region including Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. The genus contains approximately seven recognized species, with A. aeneum being the largest British representative at 2.9–3.6 mm. Species are associated with Malvaceae host plants, with larvae developing inside living plant stems. The genus is distinguished from the related Pseudaspidapion by morphological characteristics of immature stages.
Atomacera
mallow sawfly, hibiscus sawfly
Atomacera is a genus of sawflies in the family Argidae, commonly known as mallow sawflies or hibiscus sawflies. These insects are herbivorous members of the Hymenoptera, representing a primitive branch of the order that lacks the constricted waist typical of wasps, bees, and ants. The genus contains species that feed on plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae), including ornamental hibiscus, hollyhocks, and marsh-mallow. Despite their caterpillar-like appearance, sawfly larvae are distinct from Lepidoptera larvae in having more pairs of prolegs.
Atomacera decepta
Hibiscus Sawfly, Mallow Sawfly
The hibiscus sawfly (Atomacera decepta) is a herbivorous sawfly in the family Argidae that feeds primarily on members of the mallow family (Malvaceae). Despite its caterpillar-like larvae, it belongs to the Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, and ants) rather than Lepidoptera. The species is known for causing significant defoliation damage to ornamental hibiscus, hollyhocks, and marsh-mallow, though it has not developed a strong preference for economically important crops like cotton or okra.
Brachycoryna pumila
Brachycoryna pumila is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Guérin-Méneville in 1844. Adults measure 2.5–3.5 mm in length and exhibit distinctive coloration: black head, brownish-yellow pronotum, and yellow elytra with variable brown markings. The species has been recorded feeding on several plants in the family Malvaceae. Its distribution spans from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America to northern South America, including Caribbean islands.
Burnsius oileus
Tropical Checkered-Skipper
A small skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) found from the southern United States through the Neotropics. Adults are active year-round in tropical regions and during warmer months in temperate areas. The species was transferred from genus Pyrgus to Burnsius in 2019 based on molecular phylogenetic studies.
Burnsius philetas
Desert Checkered-Skipper
Burnsius philetas, the desert checkered-skipper, is a small skipper butterfly (wingspan 25–29 mm) found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Formerly classified under Pyrgus, this species was reassigned to the genus Burnsius based on molecular and morphological evidence. It exhibits multiple generations per year with activity extending from early spring through late fall, with timing varying by latitude and elevation. The species is notable for its checkered wing pattern and association with dry, open habitats.
Calligrapha diversa
Calligrapha diversa is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Carl Stål in 1859. It belongs to the C. argus species group, characterized by distinctive elytral patterning including a single spot enclosed by humeral lunule and a complete arcuate band laterally confluent with a subsutural stripe. The species has one of the largest geographic ranges in its group, extending from the southwestern United States through Central America to northern South America. It has been recorded feeding on plants in the families Malvaceae and Solanaceae.
Calycomyza malvae
Mallow Leaf Miner
Calycomyza malvae is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. The species creates distinctive mines in leaves of mallow plants (Malva species). It has been documented across the Americas from the United States through the West Indies to Brazil, with more recent records from Mexico. The common name 'Mallow Leaf Miner' reflects its specialized association with this host plant genus.
Conotrachelus texanus
Tropical Mallow Curculio
Conotrachelus texanus is a species of true weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It was described by Schaeffer in 1906 and is known from North America. The species is commonly referred to as the Tropical Mallow Curculio. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with mallow plants (family Malvaceae), though specific host relationships have not been thoroughly documented in available sources.
Diadasia
cactus bees, bindweed turret bees
Diadasia is a genus of solitary bees in the family Apidae, tribe Emphorini, containing approximately 42 species. These bees are oligolectic pollen specialists that primarily forage on plants in the family Malvaceae, though some species have evolved associations with other plant groups including cacti, bindweeds, and willowherbs. They are ground-nesting bees, with many species constructing distinctive turrets or chimney-like structures at their nest entrances. Male Diadasia form large mating aggregations where they compete intensely for access to emerging females.
Meskea
Meskea is a genus of moths in the family Thyrididae, subfamily Siculodinae. Species in this genus are gall-forming herbivores whose larvae develop within stem galls on host plants in the family Malvaceae. The genus includes at least two documented species: Meskea horor, a potential biological control agent studied for its impact on weedy Sida species, and Meskea dyspteraria, which has been recorded as a host for the parasitoid wasp Calliephialtes grapholithae. Adult moths are crepuscular or nocturnal in habit.
Mimoschinia
rufous-banded pyralid moth
Mimoschinia is a monotypic genus of crambid moths containing a single species, Mimoschinia rufofascialis, commonly known as the rufous-banded pyralid moth or barberpole caterpillar. The species exhibits a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean, western Canada, the southwestern and western United States, and Mexico. The genus is characterized by small size, with adults displaying a wingspan of 14–18 mm and showing extended seasonal activity from January through October.
Niesthrea
scentless plant bugs, hibiscus scentless plant bugs
Niesthrea is a genus of scentless plant bugs in the family Rhopalidae, tribe Niesthreini. The genus comprises approximately 20 described species distributed primarily in the New World, from the United States through Central and South America. Species in this genus are associated with plants in the family Malvaceae, with some species serving as important biological control agents against agricultural weeds such as velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti). The best-studied species, Niesthrea louisianica, exhibits striking orange, black, and white coloration and has been extensively investigated for its potential in integrated pest management programs.
Niesthrea louisianica
Hibiscus Scentless Plant Bug
Niesthrea louisianica is a small scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae, measuring 6.5-8.5 mm in body length. It is native to North America, ranging from New York to Florida and west to California, with populations also present in Hawaii. The species is a specialist feeder on plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae), including Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), cotton, okra, and velvetleaf. It has been investigated as a biological control agent for the agricultural weed velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti), capable of reducing viable seed production by 98-99% through feeding damage to reproductive structures.
Ophiomyia abutilivora
Ophiomyia abutilivora is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1986. The species epithet 'abutilivora' indicates a larval association with plants in the genus Abutilon (Malvaceae). Like other members of Ophiomyia, the larvae likely form internal mines in host plant stems or leaves. The genus is characterized by reduced wing venation and distinctive larval feeding habits.
Paragrilus rugatulus
Metallic Woodborer
Paragrilus rugatulus is a metallic wood-boring beetle (Buprestidae: Agrilinae) described by Thomson in 1879. It belongs to the P. rugatulus species group, one of three species groups recognized in the genus for North and Central America. The species occurs in the United States and extends into Central America. Members of its species group are associated with plants in the genus Sida (Malvaceae).
Ptilothrix bombiformis
Hibiscus bee, Eastern digger bee, Hibiscus turret bee
Ptilothrix bombiformis is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Apidae, commonly known as the hibiscus bee or eastern digger bee. It is one of only two species of the genus Ptilothrix found in the United States, with a distribution centered in the eastern half of North America. The species is notable for its specialized association with mallow family plants (Malvaceae), particularly Hibiscus species, and for its distinctive nesting behavior involving water transport to excavate hard soil. Females construct turreted nest entrances and are active primarily during summer months when host plants are in bloom.
Pyrgus scriptura
Small Checkered-Skipper, small checkered skipper
Pyrgus scriptura is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the small checkered skipper. It occurs across the western and central United States and southern Canada. The species has two generations per year and is associated with open, dry habitats. Larvae feed on plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae), particularly Sida hederacea.
Rhopalapion
Rhopalapion is a genus of brentid weevils characterized by an elongate body, elongate antennal club, and strong sexual dimorphism in rostrum length, with females possessing a noticeably longer rostrum. The genus is strictly associated with Malvaceae host plants in the genus Alcea. Two species are currently recognized: the widespread and rapidly expanding R. longirostre (hollyhock weevil), and the more geographically restricted R. celatum from the Turanian Region. R. longirostre has undergone dramatic range expansion since the 1960s from central Asia across Europe to North America, attributed to climate change response and anthropogenic dispersal.
Rhopalapion longirostre
Hollyhock Weevil
Rhopalapion longirostre is a weevil species commonly known as the Hollyhock Weevil, native to central Asia and now distributed across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. It is strongly associated with hollyhock plants (Alcea species), on which it completes its entire life cycle. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in rostrum length, with females possessing elongated rostra for oviposition. Since the 1960s, it has undergone rapid range expansion attributed to climate change and anthropogenic dispersal.
Scaphium
malva nut
Scaphium is a genus of approximately eight species of tropical canopy trees in the family Malvaceae, subfamily Sterculioideae. Species are native to tropical Asia, ranging from the eastern Himalayas through Indochina to Borneo and Sumatra. The genus name derives from the Greek skaphion (skiff), referring to the boat-shaped fruit. Several species are economically important; seeds of S. scaphigerum (malva nut) are used in traditional medicine and as a food additive for their mucilaginous properties.
Sida
fanpetals, sidas
Sida is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae), distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide with particular diversity in the Americas. The genus comprises herbaceous plants and small shrubs commonly known as fanpetals or sidas. Several species have become economically significant as agricultural weeds, notably Sida spinosa (prickly sida) in the southern United States and Sida acuta as an invasive pasture weed in tropical regions globally.
Spintherophyta
Spintherophyta is a genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Eumolpinae. The genus exhibits high diversity in the Neotropics, with approximately 71 species recorded from Central and South America, while only four species occur in North America north of Mexico. Species are typically small, globular beetles, often found feeding on pollen in flowers.
Systasea pulverulenta
Texas Powdered Skipper
Systasea pulverulenta, commonly known as the Texas Powdered Skipper, is a small butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It ranges from southern and western Texas through Mexico to Guatemala. Adults are active year-round in southern Texas, with flight recorded from February through December. The species is associated with Malvaceae host plants for larval development.