Predation by Eumenid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Eumenidae) on Spruce Budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and Other Lepidopterous Larvae in Spruce-Fir Forests of Maine

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Abstract
Four species of eumenids, Ancistrocerus adiabatus (Saussure), A. antilope (Panzer), A. catskill (Saussure), and Euodynerus leucomelas (Saussure), accepted and provisioned trap-nesting blocks placed in a spruce-fir forest of Maine. The wasps preferred open habitats with abundant floral forage to dense spruce-fir stands. Two species, A. catskill and E. leucomelas, preyed on late instars of Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens) and on other lepidopterous defoliators of northeastern hardwoods and softwoods. Spruce budworm comprised 3 to 38% of the total observed prey in strip clearcuts. Nest associates included parasites of provisioned prey larvae and both parasites and predators of eumenids.