This species was photographed on Knautia arvensis (Field scabious), which is the feeding plant of A. intermedia. Because of the similar looks, it is very difficult to keep the A. intermedia and A. violacea apart. This species has longer grey hairs on the lower part of the elytra, whereas the A. violacea has fine hairs allover the elytra, which makes it appear hairless to the naked eye.