Biocontrol Agents & Host Plants in BC

The Biocontrol Agent Lifecycle Schedule describes the months during the year that secondary and tertiary agents (see Status for definition) may be handled.

  • Biocontrol Agent Handling Techniques - Forest Practices Branch


    • Plants by common name

    This list contains invasive plant species for which biological control agents exist within BC. This list is not comprehensive of all the invasive plants existing in the province.


    Common Name


    Scientific Name
    Black knapweed Centaurea nigra
    Brown knapweed Centaurea jaceae
    Bull thistle Cirsium vulgare
    Canada thistle Cirsium arvense 
    Dalmatian toadflax Linaria dalmatica
    Diffuse knapweed Centaurea diffusa 
    Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis
    Hawkweed complex Hieracium spp.
    Hedge bindweed Calystegia sepium
    Hound's-tongue Cynoglossum officinale 
    Knotweed complex Polygonum spp.
    Leafy spurge Euphorbia esula
    Marsh plume thistle Cirsium palustre 
    Meadow knapweed Centaurea debeuxii 
    Narrow-leaved Dalmatian toadflax Linaria genistifolia spp. dalmatica
    Nodding thistle Carduus nutans
    Perennial sow thistle Sonchus arvensis
    Plumeless thistle Carduus acanthoides 
    Puncturevine Tribulus terrestris
    Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria 
    Rush skeletonweed Chondrilla juncea
    Russian knapweed Acroptilon repens 
    Scentless chamomile Matricaria perforata
    Scotch broom Cytisus scoparius
    Short-fringed knapweed Centaurea nigrescens
    Spotted knapweed Centaurea biebersteinii 
    St. John's wort Hypericum perforatum 
    Sulphur cinquefoil Potentilla recta 
    Tansy ragwort Senecio jacobaea 
    Yellow toadflax Linaria vulgaris  

    Biological Control Agents

    This list contains biological control agents that have been imported or have arrived on their own accord (adventive) into BC.


    Biological Control Agent Name
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