Psylliodes chalcomera

(Illiger, 1807)

flea beetle

Psylliodes chalcomera is a in the , to Europe and investigated as a agent for musk thistle (Carduus nutans). Field trials in Italy demonstrated high , with no feeding or on Cirsium or economic under free-choice conditions. The species has been evaluated for introduction to North America to manage musk thistle .

Britishentomologyvolume2Plate486 by Curtis. Used under a Public domain license.Psylliodes chalcomera (lliger, 1807) (16019919169) by Udo Schmidt from Deutschland. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Psylliodes chalcomera: //ˌsɪl.iˈoʊ.diːz ˌkæl.kəˈmɛ.rə//

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Habitat

Associated with thistle plants, particularly musk thistle (Carduus nutans), in field conditions in Europe. Evaluated in field sites near Rome, Italy.

Distribution

to Europe; present in Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China). Evaluated for introduction to North America for purposes; not naturally occurring in North America.

Diet

Musk thistle (Carduus nutans); limited feeding observed on closely related Carduus including Carduus acanthoides (plumeless thistle) and Carduus macrocephalus. Under no-choice laboratory conditions, some feeding and recorded on Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle), Cirsium discolor, Cirsium altissimum, Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle), and Cirsium undulatum, but no field association with Cirsium species.

Host Associations

  • Carduus nutans - primary musk thistle; main for feeding and
  • Carduus acanthoides - secondary plumeless thistle; limited under no-choice conditions
  • Carduus macrocephalus - secondary
  • Cirsium vulgare - tested bull thistle; some under no-choice laboratory conditions only
  • Cirsium discolor - tested tall thistle; tested in no-choice conditions
  • Cirsium altissimum - tested tall thistle; tested in no-choice conditions
  • Cirsium arvense - tested Canada thistle; tested in no-choice conditions
  • Cirsium undulatum - tested wavyleaf thistle; tested in no-choice conditions
  • Cynara scolymus - tested non-globe artichoke; tested in no-choice conditions
  • Carthamus tinctorius - tested non-safflower; tested in no-choice conditions
  • Onopordum acanthium - tested non-cotton thistle; tested in no-choice conditions

Behavior

feed on leaves; mine within leaf and midribs. Exhibits strong fidelity to musk thistle in field conditions with free choice of hosts. No adults or larvae recorded on Cirsium or economic plants under field conditions despite availability.

Ecological Role

Candidate agent for musk thistle (Carduus nutans), a weed of economic and ecological concern in North America. Evaluated for potential introduction to suppress musk thistle in invaded .

Human Relevance

Investigated for of musk thistle in North America. Field trials demonstrated satisfactory for regulatory approval, with no risk to Cirsium thistles or agricultural .

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