Tiphia

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Tiphia is a genus of wasps in the family Tiphiidae. They live in the soil and attack the larvae of scarab beetles, helping to keep beetle populations in check. One species, Tiphia vernalis, was brought to the United States from Korea and China in 1925 to help control the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica). T. vernalis has also attacked the oriental beetle (Anomala orientalis) in lab tests and in nurseries, and scientists are studying it as a possible method to control that pest.