<i>Microctonus aethiops</i>(Nees) auctt. and<i>Perilitus rutilus</i>(Nees) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), European Parasites of<i>Sitona</i>Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract

Microctonus aethiops (Nees) auctt. (Fig. 1) and Perilitus rutilus (Nees) are parasites of adult Sitona weevils in Europe. They were released in Canada as control agents of the sweetclover weevil, Sitona cylindricollis Fahr. (Fig. 2). The immature stages and biology of the species were studied as a prerequisite to attempts at biological control. A similar investigation of the braconid Pygostolus falcatus (Nees) was completed (Loan and Holdaway, 1961). Jackson (1928) described some aspects of the biology of P. rutilus , and additional data are given in the present paper.