The Canadian Entomologist (2003) 135, 303-308

O. Olfert, J.F. Doane and M.P. Braun (2003)
Establishment of Platygaster tuberosula, an introduced parasitoid of the wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana
The Canadian Entomologist 135 (2), 303-308
Abstract: Wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), was first detected as early as 1901 in Western Canada. The first major outbreak in Saskatchewan was recorded in 1983. In 1984, Saskatchewan wheat midge populations were found to be parasitized by the egg parasitoid Macroglenes penetrans (Kirby). Parasitism levels vary from year to year but, on average, 33% of wheat midge populations are parasitized by M. penetrans. In 1993 and 1994, Agriculture Canada and the International Institute of Biological Control in Delémont, Switzerland, collaborated to release Platygaster tuberosula Kieffer into Saskatchewan to augment biological control of wheat midge. Platygaster tuberosula individuals were recovered at low numbers in follow-up monitoring programs in each of the last 5 years. In 2001, the parasitoid population density increased fivefold at the release site and showed signs of migrating into the surrounding area.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Owen Olfert

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
classical biocontrol/new introduction

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Sitodiplosis mosellana		Canada (west)
Platygaster tuberosula (parasitoid)	Sitodiplosis mosellana		Canada (west)