Toadflax
Guides
Brachypterolus
short-winged flower beetles
Brachypterolus is a genus of short-winged flower beetles in the family Kateretidae, containing approximately six described species. Members of this genus are associated with toadflax plants (Linaria spp.) and have been introduced to North America as inadvertent biological control agents for invasive toadflax species. The genus is characterized by reduced wing development, consistent with its name meaning "short-winged."
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.
Calophasia
Calophasia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, first described by Stephens in 1829. The genus contains approximately eight described species distributed across Europe, North Africa, and parts of North America. The most well-known species is Calophasia lunula (toadflax brocade), which has been introduced to North America as a biological control agent for invasive toadflax plants. Species in this genus are generally associated with open, dry habitats.
Calophasia lunula
Toadflax Brocade Moth, Toadflax Moth
Calophasia lunula is a noctuid moth native to the Palearctic region, introduced to North America as a biological control agent for invasive toadflax species. The moth's larvae are specialized feeders on yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) and Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria genistifolia ssp. dalmatica), causing significant defoliation that reduces seed production. Adults feed on nectar without causing plant damage. The species has established populations in parts of Canada and the United States following intentional introductions beginning in the early 1960s.
Mecinini
Mecinini is a tribe of true weevils (Curculionidae: Curculioninae) comprising six genera: Cleopomiarus, Gymnetron, Mecinus, Miarus, Rhinumiarus, and Rhinusa. The tribe is distributed across the Palaearctic, Afrotropical, and Neotropical regions, with most diversity in the Palaearctic. Species are specialized herbivores, primarily associated with Campanulaceae, Scrophulariaceae, and Plantaginaceae. Several species have been introduced to North America as biological control agents for invasive toadflax (Linaria spp.).
Mecinus janthinus
Toadflax stem weevil
Mecinus janthinus is a stem-boring weevil used as a classical biological control agent for invasive toadflax species (Linaria spp.) in North America. Originally introduced from Europe in the 1990s, it has established populations on Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica) and yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) in the United States and Canada. The species exhibits high host specificity, with postrelease studies in Colorado finding no evidence of nontarget herbivory on native plants even under no-choice starvation conditions. Genetic studies have revealed that M. janthinus as historically defined comprises two cryptic species: M. janthinus sensu stricto associated with yellow toadflax, and M. janthiniformis associated with Dalmatian toadflax.
Rhinusa neta
Rhinusa neta is a seed-feeding weevil in the family Curculionidae, native to Europe and introduced to North America as a biological control agent for invasive toadflax species. Adults are active from May to August. Larvae develop inside seed capsules of host plants, feeding on immature seeds. The complete development cycle from egg to adult averages approximately 60 days under standard laboratory conditions.