Low temperature induced quiescence in parasitoids Trichogramma evanescens Westwood and Trichogramma chilonis Ishii reared on Plodia interpunctella (Hübner): Its utilization mass rearing strategies

Abstract

Abstract The egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma are important potential biological control agents for a wide range of lepidopteran pests. Cold storage of host eggs has been proposed as a valuable technique for ensuring the release of sufficient parasitoid numbers whenever it is needed. In this context, the impact of low temperatures to induce quiescence in Trichogramma evanescens and T. chilonis was studied using eggs of Plodia interpunctella. Prepupae of the parasitoids were stored for 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 d at 4°C, following a 7 d period of acclimation at 10°C. Both parasitoid species seem to survive unfavorable temperature conditions by entering a state of quiescence. Parasitism, adult emergence, sex ratio and progeny quality were not affected by cold storage in either parasitoid species for up to 30 d of storage. Parasitized host eggs of P. interpunctella can be stored for up to 60 d at 4°C for both parasitoids, but there was no emergence at 75 d. General productivity values gradually decreased as the duration of storage lengthened for both species. Our results clearly reveal that the eggs parasitized by these species can be stored for up to 30 d at 4°C in a state of quiescence without much loss of their performance compared to the control eggs.