PHYTOPHAGOUS INSECT FAUNA OF FLOURENSIA-CERNUA (ASTERACEAE, HELIANTHEAE) IN TRANS-PECOS TEXAS AND ARIZONA

Phytophagous insects representing 37 families and 88 species fed on ta rbush, Flourensia cernua DC. Thirty-nine of these species were polypha gous, 11 were oligophagous, and 2, Goniatron planum Bruner and Buccala trix flourensiae Braun, were specific or apparently restricted to tarb ush. The feeding specificity of 36 species was not determined. None of the phytophages substantially damaged tarbush. The psyllid Kuwayana m edicaginis Crawford was one of the most common insects on the plant. I t caused moderate leaf curling in approximate to 7% of the foliage in early spring. Relative frequency, associated plant parts, geographic d istribution, and phenology of insects on tarbush are also reported.