Solanum
Guides
Acizzia
Acizzia is a genus of psyllids in the monotypic subfamily Acizziinae, established by George Heslop-Harrison in 1961. Species are primarily associated with leguminous hosts, particularly Acacia and Albizia species in Australia, though some have expanded to Solanaceae and Loranthaceae. Many species exhibit high host specificity, with some being monophagous or oligophagous. Several species have become invasive outside their native ranges following the global horticultural trade of their host plants.
Gratiana
Gratiana is a genus of tortoise beetles (family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cassidinae) comprising approximately seven described species. Members of this genus are characterized by the flattened, shield-like body form typical of tortoise beetles, with adults capable of clamping tightly against leaf surfaces as a defensive behavior. The genus is best known for Gratiana boliviana, which has been employed as a classical biological control agent against the invasive weed tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum) in the southeastern United States.
Keiferia elmorei
Keiferia elmorei is a small gelechiid moth described in 1936. The species is known from California and is associated with Solanum host plants. Larvae are leaf miners.
Leptinotarsa defecta
Twoline Satansbos Leaf Beetle
Leptinotarsa defecta is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, closely related to the notorious Colorado potato beetle (L. decemlineata). Unlike its congener, L. defecta is not a major agricultural pest and has been observed feeding on Solanum species in Florida. The species has a broad geographic distribution spanning North America, Middle America, and Africa, though detailed natural history information remains sparse.
Neoleucinodes prophetica
potato tree borer
Neoleucinodes prophetica, commonly known as the potato tree borer, is a small moth in the family Crambidae. The species was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1914. It has been recorded across the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and southern Florida. The larvae are specialized fruit borers on Solanum host plants.
Symmetrischema striatella
Streaked Twirler
Symmetrischema striatella is a small gelechiid moth described by Mary Murtfeldt in 1900. It is native to North America with a broad distribution across the eastern and southern United States, and has been introduced to New Zealand. The species is associated with Solanum nigrum (black nightshade), on whose berries the larvae feed.
Synanthedon rileyana
horsenettle borer, Riley's clearwing moth
Synanthedon rileyana is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, notable for its effective wasp mimicry. Adults are diurnal and active from late spring through early autumn. The species is distinguished from similar clearwing moths by complete yellow banding on all abdominal segments and a red discal cell on the forewing. Larvae are borers in horsenettle (Solanum carolinense), a weedy plant common to sandy agricultural areas.
Zonosemata
Zonosemata is a genus of tephritid fruit flies in the family Tephritidae, established by Benjamin in 1934. The genus comprises seven described species: six from North America and one from South America. At least one species, Zonosemata vittigera, has been documented as developing within the fruits of Solanum elaeagnifolium (silverleaf nightshade), a noxious weed, suggesting potential for biological control applications. The genus is classified within the subtribe Carpomyina alongside Rhagoletis and Carpomya.