Short-term storage of the egg parasitoids, trichogramma and trichogrammatoidea

Abstract

Developing efficient storage technique to produce quality parasitoids is essential for successful bio-control programs. In this study, one cold storage temperature for eight species/strains of Trichogramma and Trichogrammatoidea was tested. Pupae of Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead, T. achaeae Nagaraja and Nagarkatti, T. embryophagum Hartig, T. cordubensis Vargas and Carbello, Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja, and three strains of T. chilonis (lab, Nilgiris, and Kodaikanal) were stored at 10 °C (with L:D-8:16 and RH 70%) for different durations (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 days). The effect of storage duration on biological parameters of the parasitoids was checked by recording their percent of adults’ emergence and longevity. Obtained data showed species-/strain-specific variations in their storage amenability. T. chilonis strain recorded the highest cold storage capability followed by T. chilonis Kodaikanal and T. cordubensis with 62–68% after 50 days of storage. Considering a minimum of 60% emergence rate and 3 days of longevity, 1 month of storage duration can be recommended for T. chilonis lab, T. japonicum, and T. achaeae at 10 °C. Trichogrammatoidea bactrae was unsuitable for storage at this temperature as it failed to emerge even after the minimum storage duration.