Short-term storage of adult tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) prior to field releases for biological control of Asian citrus psyllid

Abstract

Tamarixia radiata is regarded as one of the Asian citrus psyllid's most important natural enemies, and is thus currently being mass-reared and released by a number of laboratories in North America. It may not always be possible to immediately release newly-emerged adults, in which case it would be advantageous to store the parasitoids under optimal conditions until release. We found that newly-emerged adult T. radiata can be stored at 20 to 30 °C (14 h light photo phase) in vials containing honey with greater than 95% survival for up to 14 days. However, parasitoids stored for 14 days with honey at 25 °C parasitized fewer psyllid nymphs than newly emerged parasitoids. Thus, adult parasitoids can be stored, but they should be released as soon as possible for maximal parasitism.