Parasitism of the eggs of Lygus shulli and Lygus elisus (Heteroptera: Miridae) by Anaphesiole (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae)

Females of the egg parasitoid Anaphes iole Girault (Hymenoptera: Myrmaridae) accepted and oviposited in eggs of both Lygus shulli Knight and L. elisus Van Duzee (Heteroptera: Miridae) when presented on sections of green bean pod in the laboratory. Resulting A. iole larvae developed normally on eggs of both host species and emerged as adults. The wings of A. iole emerging from L. shulli eggs were significantly larger than those from L. elisus probably because the eggs of L. shulli were larger. Anaphes iole females parasitized only approximately 50% of the eggs available of either host species. This may indicate that 50% of the hosts were suitable and rejected, that 50% were unsuitable for oviposition, or that the structure of bean pods prevents females from finding or ovipositing in 50% of hosts. Anaphes iole has potential for biological control of Lygus spp. on greenhouse vegetables in southwestern British Columbia.Peer reviewedFinal article publishedMymaridaegreenhouse vegetablesbiological controlegg parasitoidsMiridaeLygus hesperusLygus elisusLygus shulliAnaphesiol