Eublemma amoena (Crown Moth)

Eublemma amoena, occurs in North Africa and southern Europe. Moths 
collected from southern France were bred and tested for host-specificity 
then first released in Australia in 1998 in southern NSW and the ACT. This 
introduction, by CSIRO, was as a Biological Control for weedy thistles (Scotch, 
Illyrian & Stemless) of the genus Onopordum. The moth is up to 15mm in 
length. They can have 3 generations a year. Pupation occurs in cells in the 
leaf rosette. The females lay their eggs on the thistle leaves. Emergent larvae 
feed within the leaf petioles, or bore into the crown or root of the plants. 
This larval feeding can kill small plants or reduce the vigour of the weeds. 

Several weevils have also been tested and introduced for control of these 
thistles. These include Lixus cardui https://canberra.naturemapr.org/species/7842 
and Larinus latus https://canberra.naturemapr.org/species/7263.