Author
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Klein, Michael |
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MCDONALD, RICHARD - SELF-EMPLOYED |
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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 3/24/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Tiphia wasps (Tiphiidae) are solitary ectoparasites of the larvae of numerous scarab beetles (Scarabaiedae). Ninety-nine species of these parasitoids are listed in the 1979 Catalog of Hymenoptera in America North of Mexico. This number includes the four known established Tiphia species, but not the 24 non-established species which were introduced for control of the Japanese beetle, oriental beetle, Asiatic garden beetle, and European chafer. Female wasps locate scarab larvae in the soil, sting them causing temporary paralysis, and lay eggs in specific locations on the grub characteristic of each Tiphia species. Tiphia larvae attach to the grub and feed externally for 15-20 days causing its death. The fully-grown wasp larva spins a distinctive brown cocoon which remains in the soil until the adult emerges the following year. There appears to be an increase in the abundance of these parasitoids in diverse white grub populations. Field workers report finding "strange, brown cocoons" in association with scarab larvae, and either ignore them or fail to get them properly identified. Phenological observations found one of these parasitoids, T. vernalis, highly attracted to flowers of the tulip poplar as an adult nectar source. This led to better scouting methods for this wasp and efforts to recolonize current North American populations. A coordinated effort is underway to locate present Tiphia populations in order to identify the species and hosts involved, and establish new colonies of parasites where the scarab host is available and nectar sources for the adult wasps occur or can be introduced. |
