Parasitoids associated with Cydia strobilella (L) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Europe, and considerations for their use for biological control in North America

The parasitoid complex of Cydia strobilella (L.), a Holarctic pest of spruce cones, was investigated at several sites in Central Europe and Scandinavia. Trichogramma sp. was reared from eggs. Larval parasitism was dominated by the ichneumonids Phaedroctonus moderator (L.) and Liotryphon strobilellae (L.) and the braconid Bracon pineti Thoms.; the ichneumonid Scambus capitator Aubert, the eulophid Elachertus geniculatus (Zett.), and the torymid Monodontomerus strobili Mayr were less abundant. A pupal parasitoid, the ichneumonid Tycherus fuscibucca (Berth.), is likely associated with C. strobilella. Each parasitoid's biology is presented. A review of the North American parasitoid complex of C. strobilella suggests that Trichogramma sp., P. moderator, L. strobilellae, and I: fuscibucca may be considered for further investigation as biological control agents in North America. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.