Silphium
Guides
Antistrophus
Antistrophus is a genus of gall wasps in the family Cynipidae containing approximately 10 species, all restricted to the Nearctic region. Species induce galls on herbaceous plants in four Asteraceae genera: Silphium, Lygodesmia, Chrysothamnus, and Microseris. The genus was first described by Benjamin Walsh in 1869. Some species exhibit complex chemical ecology, using host plant volatile monoterpenes as olfactory cues for mate location.
Antistrophus
An undescribed species in the genus Antistrophus, a group of cynipid gall wasps that induce distinctive galls on Asteraceae host plants. Members of this genus are typically monophagous, with each species associated with a single host plant species. The specific epithet reference to 'laciniatum' suggests association with Silphium laciniatum (compass plant), though this remains to be confirmed. The species has not been formally described in the scientific literature.
Antistrophus
rosinweed stem gall wasp
An undescribed species of cynipid gall wasp in the genus Antistrophus that induces distinctive stem-cluster galls on Silphium perfoliatum (cup plant). Like other Antistrophus species, it likely produces only female wasps through parthenogenesis, with adults emerging in fall to lay eggs in host plant stems. The galls provide shelter and food for developing larvae.
Antistrophus
undescribed Silphium flower gall wasp
An undescribed species of gall wasp in the genus Antistrophus that induces flower galls on Silphium species, particularly in tallgrass prairie ecosystems. The wasp manipulates plant tissue to form protective galls that house developing larvae. This species represents part of a complex of Antistrophus wasps specialized on Silphium host plants, with distinct species targeting stems versus flowers.
Antistrophus laciniatus
Antistrophus laciniatus is a gall wasp in the family Cynipidae that induces stem galls on Silphium integrifolium (wholeleaf rosinweed), a prairie plant in the Asteraceae. The species was described by Gillette in 1891 and is one of several Antistrophus species associated with Silphium hosts. New host plant and distribution records have been documented in recent years.
Antistrophus rufus
Antistrophus rufus is a gall wasp in the family Cynipidae that induces galls in flowering stems of prairie perennials in the genus Silphium. It is part of the A. rufus species complex, which was revised from three to five species based on morphological, ecological, and DNA barcode data. The species exhibits a unique chemical ecology: males and females use host plant volatiles as olfactory cues for mate location and host selection. Gall induction alters monoterpene enantiomer ratios in host stems, creating species-specific chemical signals.
Papaipema silphii
Silphium Borer Moth, silphius borer moth
Papaipema silphii, commonly known as the Silphium Borer Moth, is a noctuid moth species described by Bird in 1915. It belongs to the genus Papaipema, a group of moths whose larvae are specialized borers in the stems and roots of herbaceous plants. The species is found in North America and is associated with plants in the genus Silphium. The species has been assigned Hodges number 9498 in the North American moth numbering system.