In past years, field releases of surplus adult parasites were made to keep additional pressure on the Mexican bean beetle (MBB) population. Direct field releases are made into soybean, snap bean and lima bean fields throughout Central and Southern New Jersey wherever MBB are observed. In 2008, there were 46 direct field releases totaling 262,000 parasites. The purpose of the field releases is threefold:
~ To suppress the MBB in areas where it could potentially reach damaging levels.
~ To reduce the over wintering MBB population.
and
~ To utilize surplus P. foveolatus laboratory stocks.
Using P. foveolatus as a biocontrol agent has resulted in substantial savings...
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