WASPS ARE BIG BUSINESS

Mary mentioned in an earlier posting that she had met a biology teacher who used to have a job raising wasps. She wondered, whatever for?

I got curious, so I Googled "breeding wasps." Turns out, there is a thriving business in raising the little boogers. It is part of something called "biocontrol." According to a webpage by the Lethridge Research Center (http://res2.agr.ca/lethbridge/scitech/kdf/bioagent_e.htm), they are used to control house flies and stable flies, largely due to concerns about use of chemical sprays.

These flies lay their eggs in rotting silage, manure, and bedding, and the wasps hunt them out and lay their own eggs inside them. "Many species of parasitic wasps lay their eggs in the pupae of house fly and of stable fly," according to Lethridge. "Eggs hatch and the wasp larvae eat the developing fly. Upon becoming adults, wasps emerge from the fly pupae to locate and parasitize other fly pupae. These wasps are very small (1-2 mm long), feed only on a select group of flies and are not harmful to people, plants, or animals."

Lethridge goes on: "Some of these species can be obtained from commercial suppliers. Typically, the wasps are shipped as parasitized fly pupae. Upon receipt, these fly pupae are scattered in areas where pest flies are breeding. Wasps emerging from the parasitized pupae then move out to nearby areas to attack the native fly population. Suppliers recommend regular releases of wasps every few weeks."

Wow! I think I'll order a dozen. We have had several flies getting into the house, and when I grab the fly swatter, our little dog Mickey runs and cowers under the table. He started this a couple of years ago when Mary's son Danny was visiting. Do you suppose there could be a connection--say, Danny--fly swatter--dog? Maybe the solution is to turn a bunch of wasps loose in the house, stand back, and POW!!!