During the course of a census of arthropods in a collard crop (Brassica oleraceavar.acephala) (Cruciferae) in central New York State in summer 1985, the authors witnessed frequent incidents of unusual feeding behavior in mirid bugs. In late July and early August, numerous observations were made by three of the authors (TWC, OSN, and BAC) of apparent feeding by nymphal (2nd–4th instar) and adult tarnished plant bugs,Lygus linolaris(Palisot de Beauvois), on cocoons ofApanteles glomeratus(L.), a braconid parasitoid of the imported cabbageworm,Pieris rapae(L.). The predation occurred in a period of unusually highP. rapaepopulation densities (estimated at 150 000 ha−1), whenA. glomeratuscocoons were abundant on collard leaves.
