FORTUITOUS INTRODUCTION AND SUCCESSFUL ESTABLISHMENT OF TRICHOPODA-PENNIPES F - ADULT PARASITOID OF NEZARA-VIRIDULA (L)

While the accidental introduction of insect pests is becoming increasi ngly common due to intense and rapid commercial exchanges, the inciden ce of accidental introduction of their parasitoids seems to be much le ss frequent or is overlooked. The case reported here, for a tachinid P hasiinae, is both fortuitous and fortunate since the parasitoid has be en carried from the New World by a pest that is already present in the new country, Italy, where there are virtually no competitors. Establi shment and specificity of the parasitoid was confirmed by the first fo llow-up studies immediately after its discovery. (C) 1996 Academic Pre ss, Inc.