RECOVERY OF THE PARASITE TRIARTHRIA-SPINIPENNIS (MEIGEN) (DIPTERA, TACHINIDAE) FROM AN INLAND CALIFORNIA POPULATION OF THE INTRODUCED EUROPEAN EARWIG

A tachinid parasite, Trialthria spinipennis (Meigen), introduced over 50 years ago to control populations of the introduced European earwig in coastal California, is reported for the first time in California's Central Valley. Both the parasite and its host prefer cooler, more hum id environments near water. Parasites were found during two consecutiv e years and abundance patterns within each year indicate they are mult ivoltine. The parasite has successfully accompanied its host's inland invasion from the coastal region of California.