ARS | Publication request: TIPHIA VERNALIS (HYMENOPTERA: TIPHIIDAE) PARASITIZING ORIENTAL BEETLE (ANOMALA ORIENTALIS, COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE) IN A NURSERY

Submitted to: Great Lakes Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: May 15, 2002
Publication Date: March 15, 2003
Citation: Reding, M.E., Klein, M.G. 2003. Tiphia vernalis (hymenoptera: tiphiidae) parasitizing oriental beetle (anomala orientalis, coleoptera: scarabaeidae) in a nursery. Great Lakes Entomologist.

Interpretive Summary: Oriental beetle is a serious pest of ornamentals and turf. It occurs in most of the northeaster states and several Atlantic and mid-western states. The larval stages (grubs) feed on the roots of grasses and woody ornamentals. Currently, chemical insecticides are relied on as the primary method of control. Tiphia vernalis (the spring Tiphia) is a parasitic wasp that attacks grubs of the Japanese beetle. This wasp was originally obtained from China, Korea and Japan and released into the United States as a natural control of the Japanese beetle. During spring 2001, we discovered the spring Tiphia attacking oriental beetle in a nursery in Lake County, Ohio. This discovery suggests that the spring Tiphia may be useful as a natural control of the oriental beetle, which may help reduce the levels of pesticides used against this pest.

Technical Abstract: Tiphia vernalis is an exotic parasitic wasp that was released as a natural enemy of the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica). T. vernalis attacks the larvae of various Popillia spp., but has never been observed attacking larvae of other scarab genera in the field. During spring 2001, we discovered oriental beetle (Anomala orientalis) larvae parasitized by T. vernalis at two locations in a nursery in Lake County, Ohio. Parasitized A. orientalis grubs were found on two dates at each location. Overall parasitization rates were 6.4% and 14.3% at the respective locations.