Europe
Musk thistle (Carduus nutans)
Overwintering adults emerge in spring and oviposit on musk thistle plant bases. Adults are shiny and dark with a metallic blue-green sheen and large femurs on their hind legs. Larvae are slender and white with brown head plates. Adults and larvae can be up to 3 mm long. Larvae develop through three instars, feeding on musk thistle leaves, buds, and flowers throughout the growing season. Pupation occurs in plant litter. There is one generation per year.
Larval and adult feeding reduce photoshynthetic tissue and reduce plant reproduction.
Randall, C.B., J.E., Andreas, J. Milan, and K. Gladem. 2024. Introduced Thistle 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-2024-8-INTRODUCED THISTLES-A. https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/29169.pdf