http://entomologytoday.org/201.....ton-state/
Hopefully its just a matter of time before these wasps put a serious damper on the Brown Marmorated Stink bug population. And lets hope they don't cause any trouble.
Note: This is a repost. I deleted the original thread that was mis-titled. Apologies to the posters who responded (DanielW and mtriplett), thanks for pointing out the erroneous title.
Great article Jafar.
I think the parasitoid wasps like the carrot family(Umbelliferae) plants to help them breed. I grow many of them. Great news about something to combat the brown marmorated stink bug.
Yes, I do feel like a nerd talking about this, so I'm glad that you guys like this stuff because I think almost everyone else I know would walk quickly in the other direction and probably avoid me for talking about this stuff.
John S
PDX OR
John I really enjoy reading your thoughts and experiences. You are a wellspring of knowledge.
From what I read, I would add other lacy flowers to the carrot list, for encouraging parasitic wasps - I see them a lot on my blooming cilantro, dill, and marigolds. Those often have tiny insects flying around the flowers. I dont know the botany - some of those might be carrot family too.
John, in my neighborhood it's up to me to maintain floral diversity. Most of the lawns are like golf courses. I imagine some neighbors don't like our wildflower meadow, but the only one who has commented has been positive. There are lots of blackberry brambles, so when those bloom that helps.
This week I noted lots of tiny insects, possibly tiny bees or wasps, feeding on the early plum flowers. That gives me some hope for fruit this year despite the rain during bloom time. I have not seen honeybees out, too chilly I imagine.
I want to convert the ground between the trees, into more wildflower and food producing ground, leaving grass just between rows of trees instead of surrounding the trees. That will reduce mowing and maybe provide more insect habitat including for parasitic wasps. Among other things, I have several big bunches of oregano to divide and replant there, and have saved cat nip seeds to plant. If the catnip attracts cats, and the cats happen to munch on a few voles, so much the better.
Daniel,
Like you, I haven't seen any bees yet this year. No honey bees, no mason bees, no bumble bees. Also, like you, I see small flies and wasps and such in the blossoms. I don't know of they are effective pollinators, but I can hope. Some of them don't seem especially interested in the naughty bits that matter.
I'm afraid that a bunch may be sawflies or other unpleasants. I always get plenty of "slugs" on my fruit trees, although last year wasn't too bad: 
Not on purpose. I am building a timber frame grape arbor out of juniper timbers. I had the timbers stored outside under a tarp for about a year. During that time, I observed a few mason bees nesting in knot holes in the timbers. This winter I moved the timbers into the garage so I could work on them. Last weekend I noticed some of the bees flying in and out of the garage. I feel bad but I don’t think there is much I can do. Once I get it built, they can use it all they want 
Idyllwild
simplepress
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
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