"What Happened to our Biggest Moths"

[Liz Day]

 >Boettner, et al. (2000)...blame the virtual disappearance of....silk 
moths from New England on [the] parasitic fly...Compsilura 
concinnata...introduced as a biological control agent against the gypsy moth.

If any lep rearers in Indiana or adjacent states have encountered 
Compsilura, I gather that the state entomologist at the DNR here in 
Indianapolis would like to know of this.  It was released in the state of 
Indiana, back when it was released elsewhere, but whether it is now present 
in the state is unknown.   Since the gypsy moths are about to arrive here, 
and might bring it with them, it would be valuable for monitoring purposes 
to know whether it's already here or not.   It was suggested to many 
students around the state that they rear leps this summer and look for 
Compsilura, but no one was interested.   So if anyone out there knows more 
about its range in this area, don't keep it under your hat.

Regards,
Liz

---------------------------
Liz Day
3221 Merrick Ln.
Indianapolis IN 46222  central USA
317-924-0008
daylight at kiva.net
www.kiva.net/~daylight


 
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