First report of the establishment of Agapeta zoegana L. (Lepidoptera: Cochylidae) on spotted knapweed, Centaurea maculosa Lamarck, in the United States

Agapeta zoegana L. (Lepidoptera: Cochylidae) is a Eurasian root-mining moth introduced into North America for control of spotted knapweed, Centaurea maculosa Larnarck. The biology and host specificity of the moth were described by Muller et al. (1988, 1989). Early-instar larvae mine the epidermal tissues of the root crown. Older larvae mine the root cortex and endodermis and cause considerable damage, especially to small plants or when several larvae infest a single large plant. Larvae can migrate below ground to a new host plant if the initial knapweed plant has been destroyed. The moth overwinters as a larva in the root and emerges as an adult in June through August. Several generations per year may occur.