Top native virguloid asters
16 species, native to the US, ranked by caterpillars, then bees and other hosts, food, flowers and shelter.
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White Heath Aster
Symphyotrichum ericoides
keystone
caterpillars
89
bees
33
hosts
2
food
18
flowers
284
shelter
1
-
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
keystone
caterpillars
87
bees
26
hosts
2
food
25
flowers
323
shelter
1
-
Aromatic Aster
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
keystone
caterpillars
78
bees
26
hosts
2
food
21
flowers
252
shelter
1
-
Late Purple Aster
Symphyotrichum patens
keystone
caterpillars
72
bees
21
hosts
2
food
15
flowers
218
-
Silky Aster
Symphyotrichum sericeum
keystone
caterpillars
67
bees
19
hosts
2
food
15
flowers
217
-
White Prairie Aster
Symphyotrichum falcatum
keystone
caterpillars
67
bees
17
hosts
1
food
11
flowers
224
shelter
1
-
Eastern Silver Aster
Symphyotrichum concolor
keystone
caterpillars
66
bees
18
hosts
2
food
12
flowers
204
-
Thinleaf Late Purple Aster
Symphyotrichum phlogifolium
keystone
caterpillars
65
bees
13
hosts
2
food
12
flowers
196
-
Barrens Silky Aster
Symphyotrichum pratense
keystone
caterpillars
56
bees
10
hosts
2
food
11
flowers
174
-
Largeflower Aster
Symphyotrichum grandiflorum
keystone
caterpillars
53
bees
13
hosts
2
food
9
flowers
167
-
Georgia Aster
Symphyotrichum georgianum
keystone
caterpillars
53
bees
9
hosts
2
food
11
flowers
172
-
May Prairie Aster
Symphyotrichum estesii
caterpillars
43
bees
7
hosts
1
food
8
flowers
146
-
Walter's Aster
Symphyotrichum walteri
caterpillars
41
bees
9
hosts
2
food
11
flowers
151
-
Scaleleaf Aster
Symphyotrichum adnatum
keystone
caterpillars
36
bees
6
hosts
2
food
8
flowers
147
-
Western Meadow Aster
Symphyotrichum campestre
keystone
caterpillars
36
bees
5
hosts
1
food
7
flowers
135
-
Florida Water Aster
Symphyotrichum fontinale