List of Lepidoptera that feed on Centaurea

Centaurea species (knapweeds, starthistles and relatives) are used as food plants by the caterpillars of a numerous Lepidoptera species, including:

Monophagous

Species which feed exclusively on Centaurea. Some are used in biological control of knapweeds that have become invasive weeds.

Bucculatricidae

• Bucculatrix centaureae – only on C. triniifolia

Cochylidae

• Sulphur Knapweed Moth (Agapeta zoegana) – recorded on Diffuse Knapweed (C. diffusa), Spotted Knapweed (C. maculosa) and others

Coleophoridae

• Coleophora didymella – only on Greater Knapweed (C. scabiosa)

Gelechiidae

• Spotted Knapweed Seedhead Moth (Metzneria paucipunctella) – recorded on Spotted Knapweed (C. maculosa) and others

Polyphagous

Species which feed on Centaurea and other plants

Coleophoridae

• Several Coleophora case-bearer species:
  • C. alcyonipennella
  • C. brevipalpella
  • C. centaureivora
  • C. conspicuella
  • C. frischella
  • C. paripennella

Crambidae

• Dolicharthria punctalis
• Paratalanta hyalinalis – recorded on Brown Knapweed (C. jacea)
• Sitochroa verticalis – recorded on Brown Knapweed (C. jacea)

Geometridae

• Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata) – recorded on Brown Knapweed (C. jacea) and perhaps others
• The Engrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia)
• Grey Pug (Eupithecia subfuscata) – recorded on Brown Knapweed (C. jacea) and perhaps others
• Lime-speck Pug (Eupithecia centaureata)

Noctuidae

• Marbled Clover (Heliothis viriplaca)
• Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica) – recorded on Wig Knapweed (C. phrygia) and perhaps others

Nymphalidae

• Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma) – recorded on Brown Knapweed (C. jacea) and perhaps others
• Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe) – recorded on Brown Knapweed (C. jacea) and others

Oecophoridae

• Agonopterix arenella

Sphingidae

• Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum

External links

• Caterpillar Hostplants Database