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NEPA [email protected] KB3QKV

What is/are trichogramma? Are they really wasps? Are they harmful to pets or people? DO they really control the tent caterpillars? Thanks in advance.

10/9/2007 5:13:40 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

They are indeed wasps. Some really cool reading availabe around the web.

-trichogramma are among the smallest of insects
-rough wingspread of about 1/50th of an inch.
-efficient destroyer of eggs of many moth and butterflies which are the leaf-eaters in the larval stage
-search for over 200 species of eggs to parasitize
-seeks out eggs, but does not feed on or harm vegetation

I did not read anything about harm to human.

Though like most biological controls, although quite effective, damage from pests is still to high to be acceptable.

Here is additionl more detailed info:
http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/b-6071.html#taxonomy%20and%20identification

The DO seem to be effective to a degree against tent caterpillars: http://www.naturescontrol.com/caterpillarparasites.html

10/9/2007 5:44:35 PM

Pataskala,OH

they kill spiders to.

10/9/2007 6:14:37 PM

Mn

there fasinating creatures..related to wasps....

There is a spcies that was introduced to north america to control gympsy moths. Unfortunatly this insect also might be the reason for the drop in population of north american
saturniidae. Other wise known as silk moths like luna moths, cecropia moths and polythemus moths.


I study insects so thats why i known a little on the subject

10/9/2007 7:18:20 PM