Verbesina
Guides
Basilodes pepita
Gold Moth
Basilodes pepita, commonly known as the gold moth, is a noctuid moth species described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It belongs to the subfamily Stiriinae, a group of owlet moths often associated with open habitats. The species is notable for its bright coloration and specific larval association with plants in the genus Verbesina. It has been documented across North America with over 1,000 citizen science observations.
Neolasioptera verbesinae
Neolasioptera verbesinae is a species of gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae. The species name refers to the genus Verbesina, suggesting an association with plants in this genus. Like other members of Neolasioptera, this species likely induces galls on its host plants. The species was described by Möhn in 1964.
Piezogaster calcarator
leaf-footed bug
Piezogaster calcarator is a species of leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae, first described by Fabricius in 1803. A taxonomic revision resurrected P. alternatus (Say) from synonymy under P. calcarator, clarifying that these are distinct species with overlapping ranges in the United States and Mexico. The species is found in North America, where it has been observed congregating on inflorescences of Verbesina alternifolia (yellow ironweed) in dry-mesic loess woodland habitats.
Schinia siren
Alluring Schinia Moth
Schinia siren, commonly known as the Alluring Schinia Moth, is a small noctuid moth native to central and southwestern North America. The species was described by Strecker in 1876 and is characterized by its relatively modest wingspan of approximately 22 mm. Larvae are specialized feeders on Verbesina encelioides, a member of the sunflower family. The moth occurs in grassland and prairie habitats across its range.
Schizomyia verbesinae
Schizomyia verbesinae is a gall midge species in the family Cecidomyiidae that induces galls on Verbesina species (sunflower family, Asteraceae). As a member of the genus Schizomyia, it is part of a diverse group of gall-forming midges specialized on asteraceous host plants. The species is documented through gall observations and adult collections, primarily in North America where its host plants occur.