DISTRIBUTION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF ANAPHES-DIANA [= PATASSON-LAMEEREI] [HYM, MYMARIDAE], A PARASITOID OF SITONA SPP EGGS [COL, CURCULIONIDAE] IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION

Surveys conducted from 1973 to 1984 showed that Anaphes diana Girault was the predominant parasitoid of Sitona spp. [a pest of Medicago] eggs throughout the Mediterranean range of Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Syria. In each of these countries, the mean percentage parasitism of eggs fluctuated between 1.9 and 23.9%. The impact of the mymarid on its host increased considerably from autumn to spring. Two biotypes of A. diana, one reproducing bisexually, the other being strictly thelytokous, occur sympatrically in the Mediterranean region. The origin of various consignments of Sitona eggs parasitized by A. diana shipped to Australia for field release of the mymarid is recorded. Egg parasitoids were found in the Damascus area (Syria) that may be adapted to and effective under the hot and dry climatic conditions of South Australia.