Insects Feeding
on this Plant:
____________
Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) [Fabaceae]
(Observations are from Lattin, Rider, Knight, Wyoming Apr. Exp. Sta., Clark et al., DeLong, Milne & Milne, Campbell et al., Wagner, Hottes & Frison, Dennis, Dmitriev & Dietrich, Marshall, Covell, Bouseman & Sternburg, Bouseman et al., Cranshaw)
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Chrysomelidae: Cerotoma trifurcata Clk2004, Colaspis brunnea (Grape Colaspis) [larvae feed on roots] Clk2004 Crw2004, Odontota dorsalis Clk2004; Curculionidae: Hypera punctata (Clover Leaf Weevil) Msh2006
Heteroptera (True Bugs)
Miridae: Adelphocoris lineolatus (Alfalfa Plant Bug) [feeds on flowers & newly formed seeds] Kn1941 Msh2006, Adelphocoris superbus (Meadow Plant Bug) [polyphagous] MM1980, Lygus elisus (Pale Legume Bug) Kn1941, Lygus hesperus (Legume Bug) Kn1941, Lygus lineolaris (Tarnished Plant Bug) [polyphagous] MM1980; Pentatomidae: Brochymena quadripustulata (Four-Humped Stink Bug) Rid2009, Euschistus servus Rid2009, Holcostethus limbolarius Rid2009, Homaemus bijugis Lat1964
Homoptera (Sucking Insects)
Aphididae: Acyrthosiphon pisum (Pea Aphid) [alfalfa is summer host] Crw2004 HF1931; Cercopidae: Philaenus spumaria (Meadow Spittlebug) MM1980; Cicadellidae: Empoasca alboneura [a preferred host plant] DD2010, Empoasca bifurcata DD2010, Empoasca chelata [polyphagous] DD2010, Empoasca erigeron [polyphagous] DD2010, Empoasca esuma DD2010, Empoasca fabae (Potato Leafhopper) [polyphagous] Cr2004 DD2010 Dlg1948, Empoasca recurvata [polyphagous] DD2010, Empoasca sativae [a preferred host plant] DD2010, Solanasca solana DD2010, Stirellus bicolor Dlg1948; Membracidae: Campylenchia latipes [polyphagous] Den1952, Ceresa bubualus (Buffalo Treehopper) [polyphagous] Den1952, Tortistilus inermis [polyphagous] Den1952
Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Skippers, & Moths)
Arctiidae: Grammia figurata (Figured Tiger Moth) Cv2005; Geometridae: Anacamptodes humaria (Small Purplish Gray) [polyphagous] Cv2005; Hesperiidae: Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper) MM1980, Erynnis funeralis (Funereal Duskywing) [found in southern IL] Bou2006, Thorybes pylades (Northern Cloudywing) Bou2006; Lycaenidae: Glaucopsyche lygdamus couperi (Silvery Blue) [larvae feed on flowers, found mostly in NE Illinois] BS2001, Leptotes marina (Marine Blue) [rare migrant in IL] BS2001; Noctuidae: Agrotis venerabilis (Venerable Dart) [polyphagous] Cv2005, Caenurgina erechtea (Forage Looper Moth) Cv2005, Hypena scabra (Green Cloverworm) [syn. Plathypena scabra] Cv2005 Wg2005, Lacinipolia lorea (Bridled Arches) [polyphagous] Cv2005, Megalographa biloba (Bilobed Looper) Wg2005, Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall Armyworm) [polyphagous] Cv2005; Pieridae: Colias eurytheme (Orange Sulfur) [preferred host plant] BS2001 Crw2004 Msh2006, Colias philodice (Clouded Sulfur) BS2001 Msh2006 Wg2005; Pyralidae: Achryra rantalis (Garden Webworm) [polyphagous] Cv2005
Orthoptera (Grasshoppers)
Acrididae: Melanoplus bivittatus (Two-Striped Grasshopper) Wy1994, Melanoplus dawsoni (Dawson's Grasshopper) [a preferred host plant] Wy1994, Melanoplus differentialis (Differential Grasshopper) Wy1994, Melanoplus femurrubrum (Red-Legged Grasshopper) [polyphagous, a preferred host plant] Cmp1974 MM1980 Wy1994, Melanoplus foedus (Striped Sand Grasshopper) Wy1994, Melanoplus keeleri (Keeler's Grasshopper) Wy1994, Melanoplus packardii (Packard's Grasshopper) Wy1994, Melanoplus sanguinipes (Migratory Grasshopper) Cmp1974 Wy1994
Thysanoptera (Thrips)
Thripidae: Frankliniella fusca (Tobacco Thrips) Crw2004