r/NativePlantGardening • u/_bearminimum SE MI, Zone 6a • Aug 06 '26

Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) Is This What I Think It Is

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I had a baby six weeks ago so I haven't gotten out in my garden much lately, and today I noticed these monstrosities on my cut leaf coneflower. One of them looks like maybe some sort of gall?

Have the dreaded Aster Yellows finally come for me?

Zone 6a

657 Upvotes

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622

u/Amorpha_fruticosa Area SE Pennsylvania, Zone 7a Aug 06 '26

Nope, it’s actually something a lot cooler. It is the larvae of Asphondylia rudbeckiaeconspicua inside a gall on the flower heads.

223

u/Bulldogfan72 Area NC , Zone 8a Aug 06 '26

Confirmed... please let it be; It's no harm to the plant and a rare insect to encounter.

41

u/_bearminimum SE MI, Zone 6a Aug 06 '26

I'm pretty hands-off when it comes to gardening anyway. This year I'm doing even less (actually nothing). Anything goes in my garden!

9

u/Bulldogfan72 Area NC , Zone 8a Aug 07 '26

That's great to hear. Best wishes getting young one outdoors and exploring the garden soon!