Insects Feeding
on these Plants
____________
Helianthus spp. (Sunflowers) [Asteraceae]
(Observations are from Dennis, Milne & Milne, Arnett & Jacques, Covell, Stannard, Vaurie, Knight, Hottes & Frison, Yanega, Funkhouser, Wagner, Marshall, Clark et al., Wyoming Agri. Exp. Sta., Bouseman & Sternburg, Miller, Cranshaw)
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Attelabidae: Haplorhynchites aeneus (Sunflower Head-Clipping Weevil) [larvae develop in peduncles & flowerheads, causing them to droop & fall] Crw2004 Msh2006; Cerambycidae: Mecas cana saturnina [bores through stems, Great Plains region] Ya1996; Chrysomelidae: Brachypnoea clypealis Clk2004, Microrhopala rileyi Clk2004, Physonota helianthi Clk2004, Systena blanda (Pale-Striped Flea Beetle) [adults feed on foliage, larvae feed on roots] Crw2004, Trirhabda adela Clk2004, Zygogramma exclamationis (Sunflower Beetle) [larvae feed on foliage] Crw2004; Curculionidae: Cylindrocopturus adspersus (Sunflower Stem Weevil) [larvae bore through pith of stalks] Crw2004, Lixus concavus (Rhubarb Weevil) [larvae bore through stems] MM1980, Rodobaenus quinquepunctatus (Five-Spotted Billbug) Vau1983, Rhodobaenus tredecimpunctatus (Thirteen-Spotted Billbug) Vau1983
Diptera (Flies)
Cecidomyiidae: Contarinia schulzi (Sunflower Midge) [larvae develop in buds & flowerheads, causing club-shaped distortion of flowerheads] Crw2004; Tephritidae: Neotephritis finalis (Sunflower Seed Maggot) [larvae develop in seeds] Crw2004, Strauzia longipennis (Sunflower Maggot) [larvae bore through stalks] Msh2006
Heteroptera (True Bugs)
Miridae: Ilnacora stalii Kn1941, Plagiognathus nigronitens Kn1941, Polymerus basalis Kn1941
Homoptera (Sucking Insects)
Aphididae: Aphis debilicornis HF1931, Aphis helianthi (Sunflower Aphid) Crw2004 HF1931, Aphis rumicis [polyphagous] HF1931, Macrosiphum gei [polyphagous] HF1931, Myzus persicae [polyphagous] HF1931, Uroleucon ambrosiae HF1931, Uroleucon illinini illini HF1931, Uroleucon illini crudae HF1931, Uroleucon illini sangamonensis HF1931, Uroleucon rubeckiae HF1931, Uroleucon rurale HF1931; Membracidae: Acutalis tartarea Den1952, Campylenchia latipes [polyphagous] Den1952, Ceresa bubalus (Buffalo Treehopper) [polyphagous] Den1952, Entylia bactriana Fnk1917, Pubilia concava [polyphagous] Den1952, Stictocephala diceros [polyphagous] Den1952, Stictocephala lutea Den1952, Stictocephala taurina [polyphagous] Den1952, Tortistilus inermis [polyphagous] Den1952
Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Skippers, & Moths)
Arctiidae: Hypercompe scribonia (Giant Leopard Moth) [syn. Ecpantheria scribonia, polyphagous] Cv2005 Wg2005, Grammia arge (Arge Tiger Moth) [polyphagous] Cv2005, Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Ruby Tiger Moth) [polyphagous, found in northern IL] Cv2005, Pyrrharctia isabella (Isabella Tiger Moth) [polyphagous] Cv2005, Spilosoma virginica (Yellow Bear Moth) [polyphagous] Cv2005; Cochylidae: Hysterosia birdana [larvae bore into roots, found east of IL] Cv2005; Gelechiidae: Dichomeris flavocostella [syn. Trichotaphe flavocostella] Cv2005 Msh2006; Geometridae: Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria (Blackberry Looper) [larvae feed on flowers] Cv2005; Limacodidae: Acharia stimulea (Saddleback Caterpillar) [syn. Sibine stimulea, polyphagous, found in southern IL] Cv2005; Noctuidae: Autographa precationis (Common Looper) [polyphagous] Crw2004 Cv2005 Wg2005, Eupithecia miserulata (Common Pug) [larvae feed on flowers, polyphagous] Wg2005, Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades) [polyphagous] Cv2005, Ogdoconta cinereola (Common Pinkband) Cv2005, Papaipema cataphracta (Burdock Borer Moth) [polyphagous] Cv2005, Papaipema necopina (Sunflower Borer Moth) Cv2005, Papaipema rigida (Rigid Sunflower Borer Moth) [preferred host plants, found in northern IL] Cv2005, Stibadium spumosum (Frothy Moth) [larvae feed on seeds] Cv2005; Nymphalidae: Chlosyne gorgone carlota (Gorgone Checkerspot) [larvae feed on foliage, found in central & N Illinois] BS2001, Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) [sunflowers are preferred host plants] AJ1981 BS2001 Wg2005, Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) Crw2004; Pyralidae: Homoeosoma electella (Sunflower Moth) [larvae feed on florets & developing seeds, spinning webs around flowerheads] Crw2004; Tortricidae: Eucosma bilineana Mlr1987, Pelochrista scintillana Mlr1987, Pelochrista womonana [larvae feed on roots] Mlr1987, Phtheochroa hospes (Banded Sunflower Moth) [larvae feed on florets & developing seeds, syn. Cochylis hospes] Crw2004, Platynota flavedana (Variegated Leafroller) Crw2004, Suleima cinerodorsana [larvae bore through stems] Mlr1987
Orthoptera (Grasshoppers)
Acrididae: Melanoplus packardii (Packard's Grasshopper) Wy1994, Sparagemon collare (Mottled Sand Grasshopper) Wy1994
Thysanoptera (Thrips)
Thripidae: Heterothrips auranticornis [on flowers] St1968