Biological-control-agent
Guides
Brachypterolus pulicarius
Toadflax Flower Beetle, Toadflax Flower-eating Beetle, Antirrhinum Beetle
Brachypterolus pulicarius is a small short-winged flower beetle in the family Kateretidae. Native to Europe and Northern Asia, it was inadvertently introduced to North America where it has become established as a biological control agent of invasive toadflaxes (Linaria species). The beetle exhibits strong host fidelity to yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) and Dalmatian toadflax (L. dalmatica), feeding on floral tissues and reducing seed set in these weeds.
Cactoblastis cactorum
cactus moth, South American cactus moth, nopal moth
Cactoblastis cactorum is a pyralid moth native to South America that has become globally significant both as a biological control agent and an invasive pest. In its native range, natural predators and parasitoids limit population growth. The species was deliberately introduced to Australia in 1925 for control of invasive Opuntia cacti, achieving dramatic success that inspired further introductions to South Africa, the Caribbean, and elsewhere. Following Caribbean establishment in the 1950s, the moth spread naturally and through human activity to the southeastern United States by 1989, where it now threatens native cactus species and the ornamental cactus industry. The moth exhibits r-selected life history traits including high fecundity, short adult lifespan, and strong dispersal ability.
Cactophagus
cactus weevil, prickly pear cactus weevil
Cactophagus is a genus of snout and bark beetles in the family Dryophthoridae, comprising more than 50 described species distributed from southern North America through Central America to northern South America. Species in this genus are strongly associated with cacti, particularly Opuntia species, and several are significant agricultural pests. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with some species previously placed in Metamasius. The most economically important species, C. spinolae, is a major pest of prickly pear cactus in Mexico and has been introduced to other regions for biological control of invasive Opuntia.
Chrysocharis viridis
Chrysocharis viridis is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Eulophidae, first described by Nees in 1834. It belongs to a genus known for biological control of leaf-mining insects. The species has been recorded from England and western Canada (Alberta, British Columbia). As with many Chrysocharis species, it likely parasitizes agromyzid leaf-mining flies, though specific host records for this species require verification.
Collops confluens
convergent collops beetle
Collops confluens is a soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, subfamily Malachiinae. The species is closely related to Collops vittatus, with which it shares the characteristic soft, flexible elytra that distinguish this family from most beetles. Like other Collops species, it is a predatory beetle found in association with flowers and vegetation. The genus name "Collops" derives from Greek meaning "knob" or "lump," referring to the swollen hind femora characteristic of males in this genus. Adults are typically active during warmer months and are attracted to flowers where they prey on small arthropods.
Cricotopus lebetis
Hydrilla Tip Mining Midge
Cricotopus lebetis is a chironomid midge native to Africa whose larvae are specialized stem miners of the invasive aquatic weed Hydrilla verticillata. It is being investigated as a classical biological control agent for hydrilla management in Florida and other regions where the plant has become established. The species completes its entire larval development within hydrilla shoot tips, where mining activity disrupts apical meristem function and suppresses vertical growth.
Crocidosema lantana
Lantana Flower-Cluster Moth, Lantana Tortricid Moth
Crocidosema lantana is a tortricid moth native to Mexico and the southern United States, deliberately introduced to Hawaii (1902), Australia (1914), and the Caroline Islands (1948–1949) as a biological control agent for invasive Lantana weeds. The species has also been recorded in Yunnan, China and Sri Lanka. It was first described by August Busck in 1910. The larvae develop within pods of Bignonia chrysantha.
Dielis tolteca
Toltec scoliid wasp
Dielis tolteca is a species of scoliid wasp native to western North America and Mesoamerica. The species is known to parasitize scarab beetle grubs, with females hunting underground hosts to provision their offspring. Adults have been observed feeding on flowering plants, particularly mustards (Brassicaceae) and goldenrods (Solidago). The species has been documented in McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area in western Colorado, where it is active as a spring-emerging species.
Exapion ulicis
Gorse Seed Weevil
Exapion ulicis is a small seed-feeding weevil specialized on gorse (Ulex europaeus). Adults are light gray with a prominent snout roughly half the body length. The species is native to western Europe and has been introduced to New Zealand, California, Hawaii, and other regions as a biological control agent targeting invasive gorse populations. Larval feeding destroys seeds within pods, reducing plant spread, while adult feeding on stems and spines causes minor damage.
Geocoris omani
bigeyed bug
Geocoris omani is a species of bigeyed bug in the family Geocoridae, first described by Barber in 1935. As a member of the genus Geocoris, it shares the characteristic large, prominent eyes that give these insects their common name. Bigeyed bugs are predatory true bugs that feed on various small arthropods and are considered beneficial insects in agricultural systems. The species has been recorded from the United States, with specific locality data documented by Slater in 1964.
Hydrotaea ignava
black garbage fly
Hydrotaea ignava is a muscid fly commonly known as the black garbage fly. It is native to Europe, with records from Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira), Denmark, and Norway. The species breeds in moist organic matter, particularly manure and decaying material in confined animal facilities. Its larvae are predatory on other fly larvae, including house fly maggots, and have been used in biological control programs. Adults are distinguished by their shiny bronze-black coloration and habit of remaining on food sources at night rather than dispersing to ceilings or vegetation.
Hydrotaea militaris
Hydrotaea militaris is a species of muscid fly in the genus Hydrotaea. The species was described by Meigen in 1826. Like other members of Hydrotaea, this species is associated with decomposing organic matter and livestock environments. Larvae of Hydrotaea species have been documented as predators of other fly larvae in manure, including horn fly larvae.
Hylobius transversovittatus
Purple Loosestrife Root Borer
A root-boring weevil native to Europe, Asia, northwest Africa, and parts of Australia. Adults and larvae feed exclusively on purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). Introduced to North America in 1992 as a classical biological control agent to manage invasive populations of its host plant in wetlands.
Ibalia
Ibalia is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ibaliidae, comprising approximately 13-14 described species. All species are specialized parasitoids of siricid woodwasps (family Siricidae), attacking the larval stages of their hosts within dead or decaying wood. Females locate host larvae by detecting volatile compounds emitted by symbiotic fungi that siricids cultivate for nutrition. The genus is notable for its laterally compressed abdomen, giving a distinctive flattened appearance, and for its role as a biological control agent against invasive woodwasps such as Sirex noctilio.
Lasioderma haemorrhoidale
Lasioderma haemorrhoidale is a small beetle in the family Anobiidae (formerly placed in Ptinidae). It is native to the Mediterranean region and has been unintentionally introduced to other areas. The species is known to feed on seed heads of Malta starthistle (Centaurea melitensis), though it has proven ineffective as a biological control agent for this plant. It is one of several stored product pest species in the genus Lasioderma.
Melitara junctolineella
Melitara junctolineella is a snout moth (Pyralidae) native to southern Texas and eastern Mexico. It has been introduced to Australia as a biological control agent for the invasive cactus Opuntia stricta. The species is bivoltine, with two distinct adult flight periods annually. Its larvae are specialized feeders on several Opuntia cactus species.
Notioplusia illustrata
notioplusia moth
Notioplusia illustrata, commonly known as the notioplusia moth, is a noctuid moth first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. Native to the Caribbean, Florida, and the Americas, it has been introduced to Australia and South Africa, where its larvae feed on Lantana camara leaves. The species has been utilized as a biological control agent for this invasive plant.
Oxyopes
Grass Lynx Spiders, Lynx Spiders
Oxyopes is a large, globally distributed genus of lynx spiders comprising approximately 279-300 species. Members are characterized by distinctive hexagonal eye arrangements and long, spine-like leg setae. They are active visual hunters that do not construct capture webs, instead employing ambush and stalking strategies to prey on insects. Several species have been documented as significant biological control agents in agricultural systems, particularly in cotton and tea plantations.
Oxyops vitiosus
Melaleuca Weevil
Oxyops vitiosus, commonly known as the Melaleuca Weevil, is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae. It is native to Australia and has been introduced to the United States as a biological control agent targeting invasive Melaleuca trees. The species is notable for its specialized feeding relationship with plants in the genus Melaleuca.
Strepsicrates smithiana
bayberry leaftier moth, Smith's strepsicrates moth
Strepsicrates smithiana is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 14–15 mm. It is native to southern North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, and was introduced to Hawaii in 1955 as a biological control agent. The species is notable for its leaf-tying larval behavior and specialized feeding on Myricaceae and Myrtaceae host plants.