Journal of the Australian Entomological Society (1994) 33, 13-15

D.R. Woodward (1994)
Predators and parasitoids of Megachile rotundata (F.) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), in South Australia
Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 33 (1), 13-15
Abstract: Melittobia australica Girault parasitised 19% of the estimated viable population (1,340 prepupae) of leafcutting bee (Megachile rotundata) cells during the 1988-89 season. This parasitic wasp was successfully controlled by cool storage of leafcutting bee prepupae at 2-4°C with the result that no live parasitoids emerged during the following seasons incubation. No M. australica were detected in the field during the 1989/90 season. It is suggested that establishment of a feral population of M. rotundata in South Australia would be slowed, but not prevented by predation of nest cells and adults by ants, parasitism of cells by the indigenous wasp M. australica and possible predation of adults by birds.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Full text of article

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
control - general

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Melittobia australica		Australia (South+SE)