Parasitization of the Mexican Bean Beetle 1 by Pediobius foveolatus 2 in Urban Vegetable Gardens

Abstract

Parasitization of the Mexican bean beetle (MBB), Epilachna varivestis , by the wasp Pediobius foveolatus was monitored in five urban vegetable gardens in Washington, D.C., in 1979 and 1980. We innoculated all five gardens with P. foveolatus in 1979 and one of these gardens in 1980. This wasp is an exotic, non-overwintering biocontrol agent that is used in Maryland soybean fields. Our innoculative releases, P. foveolatus that probably came from Maryland, or both parasitized from 97 to 100% of the MBB larvae in each garden by late summer. Therefore, most of the MBB damage m these urban gardens probably could be eliminated by making innoculative releases of adequate numbers of P. foveolatus throughout gardens at appropriate times.