Alternate hosts of Blepharipa pratensis (Meigen)

Paul A. Godwin; Thomas M. Odell

Treesearch

Alternate hosts of Blepharipa pratensis (Meigen)

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Paul A. Godwin, Thomas M. Odell

Year:

1977

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

Research Note NE-245. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 3p.

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Download (PDF 207 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/19251.pdf

Abstract

A current tactic for biological control of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar Linnaeus, is to release its parasites in forests susceptible to gypsy moth damage before the gypsy moth arrives. The basic assumption in these anticipatory releases is that the parasites can find and utilize native insects as hosts in the interim. Blepharipa pratensis is being used in this way. The efficacy of such releases has not been demonstrated. The present state of our knowledge about the niche requirements of gypsy moth parasites in general, and B. pratensis in particular, does not permit an evaluation now. However, we do have sufficient information to determine the crucial point of whether B. pratensis can live and develop in particular native lepidopteran species that are potential hosts. We report here on the survival of B. pratensis in eight potential North American hosts.

Citation

Godwin, Paul A.; Odell, Thomas M. 1977. Alternate hosts of Blepharipa pratensis (Meigen). Research Note NE-245. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 3p.