Peristenus digoneutis (Hymenoptera : Braconidae), a parasite of Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera : Miridae) in Northeastern United States alfalfa, and the need for research on other crops

摘要

The tarnished plant bug (TPB), Lygus lineolaris (Palisot), damages a wide variety of important crops in North America. Peristenus digoneutis Loan, a European parasite established to provide biological control of this plant bug, has reduced TPB numbers in alfalfa for ten years. Damage to apple fruit in New Hampshire during the same time period has been reduced by 63%, and it appears that biological control is responsible for this decrease. Moderate to high parasitism rates by P. digoneutis have also been observed in strawberries, vetch, red clover, and weeds. P. digoneutis is dispersing on its own, and has been found in 62 counties in eight states, and in Canada. Additional research is needed on the parasitism of L. lineolaris on apples and other crops, and on movement of the parasite into new areas.