Species: Zizia aptera

Zizia aptera can occur in large patches (hundreds of plants). Plants may persist in a sterile condition for a number of years. Studies of the pollination biology of Zizia aurea and the related genus Thaspium (Lindsey 1984, Lindsey and Bell 1985) suggest that Z. aptera shares the same characteristics: the umbels are andromonoecious (have bisexual as well as staminate flowers), the bisexual flowers tend towards protandry, and some mechanical selfing probably occurs. Flies and solitary bees are among the most numerous visitors to the flowers. Andrena ziziae (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae) has an oligolectic relationship with Zizia and Thaspium (Ribble 1968, Lindsey and Bell 1985). However, for a list of other plants visited see Krombien et al. (1979). Its range is from northeastern New Mexico north to Canada and east to New Hampshire and Georgia (Ribble 1968). It has been collected most frequently from the second week in May until the end of June (Ribble 1968). Another solitary bee, Andrena miranda, is also found on Z. aptera, but it visits many other plants as well (Krombien et al. 1979). Its range is "from central Alaska east to Newfoundland and south to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, northern Illinois and Minnesota in the east and south to northern New Mexico, Arizona and northern California in the west" (La Berge 1973). It has been collected most frequently in June and July (La Berge 1973). The leaves and seeds of Z. aptera produce a dihydrofuranocoumarin glycoside. It was isolated from the leaves and given the name apterin (Steck and Wetter 1974). Another study found no angular or linear furanocoumarins (Berenbaum 1981). Berenbaum (1981) reported the following herbivores on Z. aptera: Eulia fratria, Agonopterix clemensella (an umbellifeous specialist), Atchips purpuranus (all three Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and Philaenus spumarius (Homoptera: Cercopidae). Larvae of Archips purpuranus are found on a number of plants (MacKay 1962.) Many tortricids fold or roll leaves, attaching the edges together, and may pupate inside. The meadow Spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius, can cause serious damage in the eastern United States by stunting crops, particularly clover (Borror et al. 1976). Eggs laid in late summer in plant stems or on the sheaths of grasses hatch the next spring.