1969 US weevil release to kill thistles later harmed 30+ native plants

Introduced in 1969 to combat invasive weeds, a European beetle has turned into an ecological threat. This beetle has diversified its appetite to include over thirty native plant species, notably rare thistles. As its larvae bore into flower heads, they destroy budding seeds, drastically hindering plant reproduction. Consequently, the impact on small and isolated native thistle populations has intensified, leading to a federal cessation of beetle releases.