List of Lepidoptera that feed on Centaurea

Centaurea species (knapweeds and relatives) are used as food plants by the larvae of a large number of Lepidoptera species, including:

Monophagous

Species which feed exclusively on Centaurea

  • Bucculatricidae
    • Bucculatrix centaureae - only on C. triniifolia
  • Coleophoridae
    • Coleophora didymella - only on Greater Knapweed (C. scabiosa)

Polyphagous

Species which feed on Centaurea and other plants

  • Coleophoridae
    • Several Coleophora case-bearer species:
      • C. alcyonipennella
      • C. brevipalpella
      • C. conspicuella
      • C. frischella
      • C. paripennella
  • Geometridae
    • Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata) - recorded on C. jacea
    • The Engrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia)
    • Grey Pug (Eupithecia subfuscata) - recorded on C. jacea
    • Lime-speck Pug (Eupithecia centaureata)
  • Noctuidae
    • Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica) - recorded on C. phrygia
  • Sphingidae
    • Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)