DISTRIBUTION AND OCCURRENCE OF COTESIA-RUBECULA (HYMENOPTERA, BRACONIDAE), A PARASITE OF ARTOGEIA-RAPAE IN WASHINGTON AND OREGON

Cotesia (= Apanteles) rubecula Marshall, a solitary endoparasite of the imported cabbageworm, Artogeia (= Pieris) rapae (L.), known to occur in British Columbia, Canada, since 1963, was first found in the United States (Yakima, Washington) in 1984. Distribution and parasitism levels were recorded for this parasite from 1985 through 1988 at selected sites in Washington and Oregon; it was recovered at 12 of 16 locations. In Washington, it was recovered at all nine locations where surveys were made. It was recovered at two locations in northern Oregon and one in west-central Oregon, but was not recovered at four locations south of Corvallis, Oreg. Maximum parasitism in Washington ranged from 19 to 100% and occurred toward the end of the growing season. Levels of parasitism by C. rubecula were lower in Oregon, and 50% was the highest level recorded (Hermiston and Hillsboro). Distribution of C. rubecula is discussed in relation to that of C. glomerata.