Nodding Thistle Carduus nutans L.


Rhinocyllus conicus
Froelich

DESCRIPTION: Beetle - 3 to 7 mm dark brown oval shaped
BACKGROUND LIFE CYCLE
Availability Habitat Adult Emergence Egg Laying Larva Development F1 Adult Life Span Over Winters
G Plumeless thistle range Spring Early summer on underside of flower bud Bore into flower buds Mid summer Up to 15 months Adult in leaf litter
ATTACK COLLECTION NOTES
Stage Damage Life Stage Method F1 that emerge while days are more than 16 hours complete a second generation.
Larvae -Seed headPupa prior to adult emergenceClip seed head
Adults -LeavesAdultHand pick


Trichosirocalus horridus
(Panzer)

DESCRIPTION: Weevil - 3 to 4 mm brown spherical shaped
BACKGROUND LIFE CYCLE
Availability Habitat Adult Emergence Egg Laying Larva Development F1 Adult Life Span Over Winters
G Dense stands of plumeless thistle Early spring Early spring on vegetative buds Mine into and feed on vegetative buds   10 months Adults under rosettes
ATTACK COLLECTION NOTES
Stage Damage Life Stage Method Most effective in areas with long, cool springs.
Larvae -Seed headAdults mid to late summerTray during flowering
Adults -Leaves


Urophora solstitialus
L.

DESCRIPTION: Fly - 4.5 mm black body, distinctive pattern on wings
BACKGROUND LIFE CYCLE
Availability Habitat Adult Emergence Egg Laying Larva Development F1 Adult Life Span Over Winters
N Exact preference not yet determined Late spring to early summer June or July singly laid in floret tubes In flower head receptacle Late summer 3 weeks Larvae in galled seed heads
ATTACK COLLECTION NOTES
Stage Damage Life Stage Method Spring collection must be completed before fly emergence.
Larvae -Seed headLarvae in gall in fall or early springClip galled flower heads in the fall or early spring


Matrix Homepage | Forest Practices Branch
© 1997 Ministry of Forests, Province of British Columbia, Canada