The Palearctic Insect Fauna of Milk Thistle, Silybum marianum , as a Source of Biological Control Agents for California

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Abstract
The phytophagous insect faunas of milk thistle, Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertner (Compositae, Cynareae) in southern Europe and western ASia, as defined by recent faunistic surveys and a literature search, are described. Most of the insect species reported from milk thistle represent new host-plant records. These insects are assessed as candidate agents for the biological control of this weed in california. Of 130+ species of milk thistle insects detected to date, only the flowerhead-infesting weevil, Rhinocyllus conicus Froelich, has been introduces and established 10 California. A few additional species are still under consideration as biological control agents. Entomological, botanical, and ecological data now suggest that future exploration for additional insect enemies of milk thistle be redirected towards northwest Africa, the probable Mediterranean area of origin of this weed.

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