PHYTOPHAGOUS INSECT FAUNAS OF BACCHARIS-SALICINA, B-PTERONIOIDES, ANDB-BIGELOVII (ASTERACEAE) IN THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED-STATES AND NORTHERN MEXICO

Phytophagous insect faunas of Baccharis salicina Torr. & Gray, B. pter onioides DC, and B. bigelovii Gray were studied in the southwestern Un ited States and northern Mexico. Phytophagous insects representing 61 species, 31 families, and seven orders were collected on B. salicina. About 43% of these species were polyphagous; 13% were oligophagous, ap parently restricted to the family Asteraceae; and 15% were monophagous , apparently restricted to the genus Baccharis. Sixteen percent of the insects collected were ecomically important pests. Phytophagous insec ts representing 55 species, 26 families, and seven orders fed on B. pt eronioides. About 25% of the species were polyphagous, 13% were oligop hagous, and 2% were monophagous. Phytophagous insects of 32 species, 2 2 families, and seven orders fed on B. bigelovii. About 28% were polyp hagous, 16% were oligophagous, and 13% were monophagous. Months of the year that immature and adult insects were present on the host plant, relative frequency, and associated ant arts are reported.