Resumen
Vegetable leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) is a common pest of almost all vegetable crops grown in Florida, USA. Leafminer infestation begins as soon as vegetable seedlings are above the ground. Growers start using insecticides of various chemical classes to control leafminer. They continue insecticide sprays until 2?3 weeks before harvesting crops. This practice of using insecticides deleteriously affects our biotic and abiotic environments. In our four-years research study, we recorded thirteen species of hymenopteran parasitoids of L. trifolii belonging to three families: Braconidae, Eulophidae, and Pteromalidae. Among all parasitoids, Opius, Euopius, Diglyphus, and Diaulinopsis were the predominant ones on beans and other vegetables. Their peak abundance occurred in November?January while most vegetable crops are in their peak growing stage. This study also investigated the preference of parasitoids for the three major vegetable crops: bean, squash, and tomato planted in randomized complete block design in field plots. This information could be of great benefit in developing an IPM of vegetable leafminers balancing biocontrol agents and insecticide application.