none Variegated cutworm (VC), Peridroma saucia (Huebner), parasitism rates in western Oregon and peppermint leaf consumption rates of parasitized and unparasitized larvae were measured for use in a VC economic threshold model. Instars 4-6 consumed an average of 184 cm super(2), equivalent to 888 mg (dry weight) of peppermint foliage. Total consumption by larvae parasitized by Meteorus communis) (Cresson) was reduced by 93%. M. communis contributed 11% to total parasitism, while Meloboris sp. and Campoletis sp. composed 84% of larval parasitoids reared from field-collected larvae. Only 2% of all larval parasitoids reared allowed hosts to reach a size sufficient to cause significant damage that occurs during the final two instars. Accounting for natural biological control by these early instar larval parasitoids will permit a 34% increase in economic thresholds for VC in peppermint. Nutrition; Diet; Parasites diseases and disorders; Parasites; Insect parasites; Hosts; Insect hosts; Host parasite relationships; Habitat; Man made habitat; Land and freshwater zones; Nearctic region; North America; USA Peridroma saucia (Noctuidae); Food plants; Mentha piperita (peppermint); Leaf consumption rate by larvae; Quantity of food consumed; Peppermint leaf consumption rates, effect of hymenopteran parasitism; Hymenopteran parasites; Meteorus communis; Parasitism rates & effect on leaf consumption; Prevalence; Meteorus communis (Hymenoptera) in larvae; Cultivated land habitat, hymenopteran parasitism rates of larvae; Oregon; Corvallis; Peppermint fields, hymenopteran parasitism rate, effect on leaf consumption Meteorus communis (Braconidae); Lepidopteran hosts; Peridroma saucia; Parasitism rates & effect on host consumption; Prevalence; Peridroma saucia (Lepidoptera) larvae; Oregon; Corvallis; Peppermint fields, parasitism rates of Lepidoptera & effect on consumption