Rozekeverdolkwesp (Tiphia femorata F.)

Gardenchafer tiphia (Tiphia femorata F.) Tiphia spp. are solitary ectoparasites of white grubs (larvae of Scarabs). Tiphia femorata F. is recorded from the Netherlands, parasitizing the grubs of Phyllopertha horticola. It seems to be specialized on this host as far as the long experience of the author goes. T. femorata needs a proper energy source in the form of nectar for its need of digging through the soil in search of its host. At the same time the parasite takes pollen as a protein source for the production of eggs next to host feeding. Wild carrot (Daucus carota) appears to be the most suitable plant as food source. For this purpose it has been introduced on golf courses and sportsfields in the Netherlands.