The beans are growing lushly and are supporting a bumper crop of Mexican Bean Beetles. I've been waiting for the proper time to order Pediobius foveolatus, a MBB predator wasp. The time has come. There are lots of juicy MBB larvae for them to deposit their eggs in and multiply.
Pediobius foveolatus was recommended by Rodger in the thread on Mexican Bean Beetle Control Options (6/06). He had success with it last year. I ordered from the same source (see link below).
They are not cheap and the shipping cost is outrageous because the vendor, Biocontrol, will ship them only by next day UPS. They are in no way economical for me but I have two reasons for biting the bullet and shelling out the bucks. First is curiosity. I just want to see pb go to work on the infestation. It's a bit of revenge for the damage done last year and which has begun again this year. Second is that my beans are in a community garden surrounded by other peoples' beans and eggplants. Rotenone is effective but, in this situation, it is only a spot treatment. Although it will be a large expense for me, I am hoping the Pediobius foveolatus will propagate and spread throughout the gardens, which will be a benefit to my friends as well as to myself.
We shall see how this all works out. I'll keep you posted. The Pediobius foveolatus is to be shipped Tuesday for arrival on Wednesday.
Jim
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