Biological pest control predatory midge "Feltiella acarisuga", and a ladybird "Stethorus punctillum". The bug "Orius insidiosus" has been successfully used against the two-spotted spider mite and the western flower thrips ("Frankliniella occidentalis"). Predators including "Cactoblastis cactorum" (mentioned above) can also be used to destroy invasive plant species. As another example, the poison hemlock moth ("Agonopterix alstroemeriana)" can be used to control poison hemlock ("Conium maculatum"). During its larval stage, the moth strictly consumes its host plant, poison hemlock, and can exist at hundreds of larvae per individual host plant, destroying large swathes of the hemlock. Not all biological control agents are directed at
Mandragora (genus) Mandragora (genus) Mandragora is a plant genus belonging to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Members of the genus are known as mandrakes. There are between three and five species in the genus. The one or two species found around the Mediterranean constitute the mandrake of ancient writers such as Dioscorides. Two or three further species are found eastwards into China. All are perennial herbaceous plants, with large tap-roots and leaves in the form of a rosette. Individual flowers are bell-shaped, whitish through to violet, and are followed by yellow or orange berries. Like many members of the Solanaceae, species of "Mandragora"