Europe
Cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias)
Eggs are flattened, oval, and brown. Larvae are white and up to 15 mm long. Adults are dark brown with yellow-white bands. Bodies are typically 10–14 mm long, and wingspans are 16–22 mm. Each wing is brown with yellow markings and a few transparent windows with dark margins. Body and wing tips are fringed.
Overwintering larvae resume feeding in cypress spurge root tunnels in early spring. They mine upwards in the plant stem, pupating within. Adults emerge from late spring and lay eggs on cypress spurge plants. Hatching larvae burrow into the stem, mine down, and feed on roots. There is one generation per year.
Larval feeding destroys affected stems and roots which reduces overall plant reserves and vigor and may result in plant death. Larval feeding damage may make attacked sites more susceptible to pathogens.
Milan, J., N.M. West, R.S. Bourchier, and C.B. Randall. 2024. Spurge Biocontrol Agents: History and Ecology in North America. In: R.L. Winston, Ed. Biological Control of Weeds in North America. North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI. NAISMA-BCW-2024-40-SPURGES-A. https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/29180.pdf