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  Date: Thu, 20 Jan 1994 09:08:18 -0500 (EST)
  From: Stephen Bambara <sbambara@ent1.ent.ncsu.edu>
  Subject: Re: biological control of alfalfa weevil
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	Ladybugs would not be effective against alfalfa weevil.  A few
years ago the NCDA was promoting a biological control program against
alfalfa weevil, but it centered around a few tiny wasps which
parasitized the AW larvae.  The program was shelved because the
parasites apparently did not suppress AW enough in NC.
	Ladybugs, on the other hand, are very important to suppress
aphids in alfalfa.  We usually don't have to recommend any spray for
aphids because the ladybug populations usually catch up and do a good
job.  There is also a new ladybug spreading across NC called _Harmonia_.
It was first reported two years ago.  In the late summer huge masses of
thousands of beetles aggregate.  Some people panic and spray them.
	As for the ladybugs purchased and released from catalogs, they
are of short term benefit, at most.

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| Stephen Bambara    NCSU-Entomology, Box 7626, Raleigh NC 27695-7626   |
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| Voice: (919) 515-3140      |  INTERNET: sbambara@ent.ncsu.edu         |
| FAX:   (919) 515-7273      | Does YOUR kid know where food comes from?
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