Submitted to: Entomological News
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: October 9, 1996
Publication Date: N/A
Interpretive Summary: During the past 30 years many exotic parasites have been released against the gypsy moth. In 1960-1970's, Rogas indiscretus, an imported wasp parasite of the gypsy moth was released, but never recovered. In 1994, for the first time, we recovered this parasite, not from the gypsy moth, but from another moth host (Dasychira basiflava). The significance of the recovery is not yet clear, but scientists could now determine its role and usefulness as a biocontrol agent.
Technical Abstract: Rogas indiscretus, a solitary braconid parasite imported into the U.S. from India in 1967 was relased from 1968 to 1977 as a part of the gypys moth biocontrol program. We report here on the first establishment of the parasite in North America. It was recovered from Dasychira basiflava larvae collected in 1994 at Brandywine, Maryland.