Insects Feeding
on these Plants:
____________
Rhododendron spp. (Rhododendron, Azalea) [Ericaceae]
(Observations are from Hoffman, Yanega, Wagner, Clark et al., Stannard, Covell, Felt, Smith, Blackman & Eastop, Wheeler et al., Miller, Pepper, Cranshaw, ScaleNet)
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Cerambycidae: Oberea myops (Rhododendron Stem Borer) [larvae bore through branches of living shrubs] Ya1996; Chrysomelidae: Neochlamisus assimilis Clk2004
Diptera (Flies)
Cecidomyiidae: Asphondylia azaleae [larvae form enlarged buds] Flt1907
Heteroptera (True Bugs)
Lygaeidae: Kleidocerys resedae (Birch Catkin Bug) [eats seeds, polyphagous] Hof1996; Miridae: Rhinocapsus vanduzeei (Azalea Plant Bug) WHM1983
Homoptera (Sucking Insects)
Aphididae: Illinoia azaleae [found on young stems & leaves, this aphid is distributed in NE USA] BE2013, Illinoia rhokalaza Pp1965, Myzus persicae (Green Peach Aphid) [polyphagous] Pp1965, Vesiculaphis caricis [found on Rhododendron spp. as primary hosts, migrating during the summer to Carex spp.; this aphid has been found in North Carolina & New Jersey, it was probably introduced into North America from abroad] BE2013; Eriococcidae: Eriococcus azaleae (Azalea Bark Scale) [found on branches; this insect is found mostly south & SE of Illinois; syn. Acanthococcus azaleae] Crw2004; Pseudococcidae: Dysmicoccus wistariae (Taxus Mealybug) [polyphagous, although Taxus spp. are preferred hosts; widely distributed in NE & north-central USA] SN2014, Phenacoccus rubivorus (False Puto Mealybug) [found on roots, feeding primarily on plants in the Ericaceae; this insect is widely distributed in NE and north-central USA] SN2014, Pseudococcus maritimus (Grape Mealybug) [found on foliage, polyphagous; this insect is widely distributed] SN2014
Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps, & Sawflies)
Argidae: Arge azaleae [larvae feed on leaves] Sm2006; Tenthredinidae: Amauronematus azaleae (Azalea Sawfly) [larvae feed on leaves, especially species with deciduous leaves] Crw2004, Nematus lipovskyi (Lipovsky's Sawfly) [larvae feed on leaves] Sm2006 Crw2004
Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Skippers, & Moths)
Geometridae: Scopula limboundata (Large Lace-Border) [polyphagous] Wg2005; Noctuidae: Acronicta tritona (Triton Dagger Moth) Cv2005 Wg2005, Catocala andromedae (Andromeda Underwing) Wg2005, Palthis angulalis (Dark-Spotted Palthis) [polyphagous, larvae feed on leaves, flowers, & fruit] Wg2005; Notodontidae: Datana major (Major Datana) Cv2005 Wg2005; Sesiidae: Synanthedon rhododendri (Rhododendron Borer Moth) [larvae bore into cambium & sapwood; this moth is found east & SE of Illinois] Crw2004; Sphingidae: Darapsa pholus (Azalea Sphinx) [syn. Darapsa choerilius] Cv2005 Wg2005; Tortricidae: Epinotia septemberana [this moth is found mostly north & NE of Illinois, including Minnesota & Maine] Mlr1987
Thysanoptera (Thrips)
Thripidae: Heterothrips azaleae (Azalea Thrips) [found on flowers] St1968