Rabbitbrush, Chrysothamnus Nuttall spp. (Asteraceae), is a
common perennial native shrub across the inland western United States. In
the Columbia Basin growing district of Washington State, rabbitbrush is
often found in close proximity to potatoes and other agronomic crops, but
its value as a conservation reservoir and source of parasitoids of merit in
agriculture is unknown. Here, we define the aphid parasitoids frequenting
rabbitbrush, their aphid host preferences, seasonal occurrence, and linkage
or association with other aphids of economic and noneconomic importance.
Extensive field collections, lab-holdings, and rearings were used to explore
and characterise the fauna. One new species of aphidiine parasitoid is
described and illustrated: Praon cowiche Hollingbery and
Pike, new species and a key to the parasitoids of rabbitbrush
aphids is provided.