Spathimeigenia spinigera Townsend (Diptera: Tachinidae), a Parasite of Neodiprion swainei Middleton (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae)

Abstract

The sawfly Neodiprion swainei Midd. has long been recognized as a serious defoliator of jack pine, Pinus banksiana Lamb., but it was not until the relatively recent use of jack pine as a raw material for pulp that interest in the sawfly became acute. Subsequently, investigations into the natural control of N. swainei were begun in the year 1955 near the headwaters of the Gatineau River, P.Q. (47° 55′ N., 75° 25′ W.) which was considered to be near the centre of the current infestation.