[2][3] Pediobius foveolatus was discovered in India, and is native to most of southern Asia and Japan, where it attacks a regional epilachnine crop pest, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata.

Pediobius foveolatus wasps will also parasitize the larvae of squash beetle, Epilachna borealis, a closely related species that feeds on cucurbit crops.

Pediobius foveolatus are extremely small, about 1-2mm long, and will not harm humans, beneficial insects, or any organisms outside the beetle genus Epilachna and its close relatives.

Successful parasitism and emergence of the next generation of wasps is visibly monitored by the presence of dark-brown, dead Mexican bean beetle larvae (“mummies”).

Initial testing determined that P. foveolatus would readily parasitize the larvae of Mexican bean beetle, while leaving native, predatory coccinellids unharmed.

USDA branches in New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia released wasps throughout these states, focusing on areas with large soybean acreage and high Mexican bean beetle populations.

Because P. foveolatus can neither overwinter successfully nor spread rapidly, management with this wasp requires yearly releases in more locations than is practical to control of Mexican bean beetle on a large scale.