The Palearctic sevenspotted ladybeetle, Coccinella septempunctata L., well established in North America, has now spread through parts of five Canadian provinces and 34 contiguous eastern states of the United States. In southern coastal Delaware in June 1984, a mass appearance of C. septempunctata occurred where wind systems brought masses of these beetles into the area from unknown sources and dropped them into the seawater. Large numbers then washed up on beaches, and some surviving beetles annoyed vacationers and even bit some people. We speculate on the original establishment of this insect in North America. Presenting evidence previously overlooked, we add to speculation that early intentional releases led to establishment of this predator in North America. However, accidental importation on transoceanic ships cannot be ruled out.

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PRODUCTION RESEARCH REPORT 167, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE DESCRIPTIONS OF PARASITES Established Species All seven of the introduced and established natural enemies of the alfalfa weevil in Eastern North America are internal hymenopterous parasites of the egg, larva, or adult stage of the weevil. A brief account is given of the colonization, recovery, biology, and habits of each species. Unless otherwise noted, life-cycle data refer to the Middle Atlantic States. Parasitism figures cited are yearly averages for several locations and fields and are percentages of the total, not the peak, host population. Patasson luna (Girault) (Mymaridae) This species previously was placed in the genera Mymar and Anaphoidea and occasionally has been confused with Anaphes pratensis Foerster. P. luna was imported from Italy and released in Utah in 1911-13 and 1925-28. Material from France was also released in California in 1933-34. In all these introductions, P. luna apparently was mixed with A. pratensis. The latter was first recovered in 1926 in Utah, but P. luna was never recovered in the Western States until recently.Î