What is Larinus planus?
Q: What is Larinus planus?
A: Larinus planus is a weevil insect of the Curculionidae family that is native to Europe and common in North America.
Q: What do both the larvae and adults of Larinus planus feed on?
A: Both the larvae and adults of Larinus planus feed on flower buds, mostly of thistles.
Q: What does the larvae stage of Larinus planus do?
A: The larvae stage of Larinus planus does the most damage to the flower bud.
Q: What has Larinus planus been used for in North America?
A: Larinus planus has been used as a biocontrol agent in North America to control the creeping thistle, a weed from Europe.
Q: What plant species did Larinus planus begin eating in 2000?
A: In 2000, Larinus planus was found eating Cirsium undulatum, a thistle native to western Colorado and eastern Utah.
Q: What effect has Larinus planus had on Cirsium undulatum and Cirsium pitcheri?
A: Later research found that Larinus planus had reduced the amount of seeds produced by Cirsium undulatum and had a bad effect on Cirsium pitcheri.
Q: Why do introduced species like Larinus planus spread rapidly?
A: Introduced species like Larinus planus spread rapidly because they are free of the parasites and predators of their native land.
