2009
Biological control of the Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivetis) using the parasitic wasp Pediobius foveolatus (Hymenoptera Eulophidae) in soybeans
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Biotic stressCrop protectionField management Pest
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Wayne Hudson, Iowa State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:

Mexican bean beetles feed on the foliage of soybeans, snap beans and lima beans, reducing the crop yield. Since 1980, with support from the New Jersey Soybean Board, the laboratory has been releasing a parasitic wasp, Pediobius foveolatus, in New Jersey soybean fields to control this pest. The wasp cannot survive New Jersey winters and must be reared in the laboratory and released into soybean fields each summer.

The wasp attacks the larvae of the Mexican bean beetle and has been very effective at controlling bean beetles. Virtually no insecticides have been applied to the state's soybean crop in recent years and pesticide applications for bean beetle control have been reduced on...

Unique Keywords:
#insects and pests
Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Final Project Results

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.