Scutellaria
Guides
Capperia evansi
Evans' Plume Moth
Capperia evansi is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, native to Canada. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 14 mm and exhibit bivoltine flight periods in early June and again from mid-July to early August. The larvae are specialized feeders on Scutellaria species (skullcaps), where they damage the main stem causing it to droop and conceal themselves among withered leaves.
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 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 sororia
Four-spotted Texas Phyllobrotica
Phyllobrotica sororia is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is endemic to Texas, making it one of the most geographically restricted species in the genus Phyllobrotica. Like other members of this genus, it exhibits extreme host plant specialization.