SCREENING 4 EXOTIC PARASITOIDS AS POTENTIAL CONTROLS FOR THE EASTERN HEMLOCK LOOPER, LAMBDINA-FISCELLARIA-FISCELLARIA (GUENEE) (LEPIDOPTERA, GEOMETRIDAE)

Among the 20 geometrid species recovered from annual surveys in conife rous forests in the Swiss Alps, three species, Epirrita autumnata (Bor khausen), Agriopis aurantiaria Hubner, and Poecilopsis isabellae Harri son, were identified as sources far parasitoids that might be suitable as candidates far introduction to Newfoundland to control the eastern hemlock looper, Lambdina fiscellaria fiscellaria (Guenee). Four univo ltine Hymenoptera were identified as candidates: Dusona contumax (Fors ter) (Ichneumonidae) from A. aurantiaria, Dusona sp. from P. isabellae , Aleiodes cf. gastritor (Thunberg) (Braconidae) from E. autumnata, an d Aleiodes. sp. from P. isabellae. The candidate parasitoids were conf ined with their native hosts in the laboratory and observations made t o gather basic biological information and define protocols for screeni ng. Small numbers of these parasitoids were shipped to Newfoundland an d screened in the laboratory against hemlock looper larvae. Although a ttacks by D. contumax, Dusona sp., and A. cf. gastritor were observed, parasitoid development did not occur. AII parasitoid eggs recovered f rom the hemlock looper larvae attacked were encapsulated Dusona contum ax, Dusona sp. from P. isabellae, A. cf. gastritor, and Aleoides sp. f rom P. isabellae are not recommended for introduction against the east ern hemlock looper.