NOTES ON THE BIOLOGY OF ODYNERUS-DILECTUS [HYM, EUMENIDAE], A PREDATOR OF THE ALFALFA WEEVIL, HYPERA-POSTICA [COL, CURCULIONIDAE]

The nest construction and architecture, and the prey collection and storage behavior of O. dilectus Saussure, a ground-nesting eumenid wasp of North America that exclusively utilizes weevil larvae of the genus Hypera as prey, are described. This species may have potential as a biological control agent of alfalfa and clover weevils in the genus Hypera because of its rapid collection of wevil larvae, its gregarious nesting habit, and the apparent ease with which individuals can be transplanted. Other European congeners have many similar characteristics. The potential for adverse interactions between O. dilectus and Bathyplectes curculionis (Thomson), a parasite of Hypera, is discussed.