Agonopterix alstroemeriana alkaloids obtained from its host plant. They also have the advantage of local predators being less familiar with the species because they are non-native. The caterpillar may also benefit from the toxic alkaloids present in the poison hemlock host plant because they may increase the ability of "A. alstroemeriana" to recognize "Conium maculatum" as the correct location for oviposition. They pupate for 2 weeks in the soil, usually from late May to early June. The color of pupa is red-brown, with fine hairs densely located. The length of pupae is approximately 6–7 mm. After pupating, the moths emerge from the
Silphium (genus) Silphium (genus) Silphium is a genus of North American plants in the sunflower tribe within the daisy family. Members of the genus, commonly known as rosinweeds, are herbaceous perennial plants growing to to more than tall, with yellow (rarely white) flowerheads that resemble sunflowers. In the rosinweeds, the outer florets in the head are fertile and the inner florets are sterile; in the sunflowers, the reverse is true. The name of the genus comes from the Ancient Greek word for a North African plant whose identity has been lost, though it is known its gum or juice was prized by