Sideroxylon
Guides
Bruggmanniella bumeliae
Bumelia gall midge
Bruggmanniella bumeliae is a gall midge species in the family Cecidomyiidae, commonly known as the Bumelia gall midge. The species induces galls on plants in the genus Sideroxylon (formerly Bumelia), which includes species commonly called gum bully or false buckthorn. It was first described by Felt in 1907. The species has been documented across multiple observations, with iNaturalist recording approximately 470 observations, suggesting it is relatively well-documented among gall midges.
Ceropsylla
Ceropsylla is a genus of jumping plant lice (psyllids) in the family Triozidae. The genus includes Ceropsylla sideroxyli, known as the False-Mastic Psylla, which causes severe damage to leaves of the false-mastic tree (Sideroxylon foetidissimum). Psyllids in this genus are small, sap-feeding hemipterans with host-specific relationships to their plant hosts.
Ceropsylla sideroxyli
False-Mastic Psylla
Ceropsylla sideroxyli is a psyllid (jumping plant louse) known for causing severe damage to the leaves of the false-mastic tree (Sideroxylon foetidissimum). The species was described by Riley in 1885 and is placed in the family Triozidae. It is native to the southeastern United States where its host tree occurs.
Enchenopa on-sideroxylon-lanuginosum
Enchenopa on-sideroxylon-lanuginosum is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae. The specific epithet indicates an association with Sideroxylon lanuginosum (gum bumelia), suggesting this species is host-specific to this plant. The genus Enchenopa includes species known for complex vibrational communication and host plant specialization. This particular species appears to be named for its documented association with gum bumelia, a plant that serves as a larval host for other insects such as the cerambycid beetle Plinthocoelium suaveolens.
Parectopa bumeliella
Parectopa bumeliella is a leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, first described by Annette Frances Braun in 1939. The species is known from the south-central United States, with confirmed records in Kentucky, Arkansas, and several adjacent states. Larvae feed on Sideroxylon species, creating mines in the leaves of their host plants.
Plinthocoelium
Plinthocoelium is a genus of longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) in the tribe Callichromatini. The genus contains approximately 9 species distributed across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The most well-known species, Plinthocoelium suaveolens, is notable for its large size, brilliant iridescent green coloration, and extremely long orange-and-black banded legs. Members of this genus are associated with woody plants in the family Sapotaceae, particularly Sideroxylon species.
Plinthocoelium suaveolens plicatum
Bumelia Borer
Plinthocoelium suaveolens plicatum is the western subspecies of a striking longhorned beetle distributed from Texas west to New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico. Distinguished from the nominate eastern subspecies by bronze or cupreous tints and weak transverse rugae on the pronotum, this beetle exhibits brilliant iridescent green coloration with contrasting orange and black legs. Larvae develop in the roots of living Sideroxylon lanuginosum (gum bumelia), with adults active during summer months. The subspecies intergrades with P. s. suaveolens in northeastern Texas.
Plinthocoelium suaveolens suaveolens
bumelia borer, cerambycid beetle
Plinthocoelium suaveolens suaveolens is a striking longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, renowned as one of North America's most beautiful cerambycids. Adults display brilliant iridescent green elytra, coppery head and pronotum, and exceptionally long black antennae and legs with contrasting orange femora. The nominate subspecies occurs across the southeastern and south-central United States, where larvae develop in roots of living gum bumelia trees (Sideroxylon lanuginosum). Adults are active primarily during July and August, often seen flying to host flowers or perching on tree trunks. The species is notably wary and difficult to approach for photography.
Urodus parvula
Bumelia Webworm Moth, Bumelia Webworm
Urodus parvula is a moth in the family Urodidae, commonly known as the Bumelia Webworm Moth. The species was originally described as Trichostibas parvula by Edwards in 1881 and later transferred to the genus Urodus. It belongs to a small family of Lepidoptera whose larvae construct distinctive webbing on host plants. The common name references its association with Bumelia (Sideroxylon) host plants.