Scientific Approaches for Mass Production, Cold Storage and Release of Trichogramma: Their Role in Insect Pest Management

Abstract

The use of Trichogramma as a tool in the scientific management of pest insects emerges as a vital element to promote sustainability in agriculture. Having suitable storage methods for parasitoids is a valuable asset within biological control programs. The quality of Trichogramma is affected by cold storage with an acclimation period. Prepupae were subjected to storage for 50, 75, and 100 days at 5°C, preceded by acclimation periods of 10 or 20 days at 12°C. The research revealed the potential to halt the development of Trichogramma. Treatments with a 10-day acclimation period resulted in emergence values below 10%, rendering them unsuitable for establishing a cold storage protocol. In contrast, a 20-day acclimation period benefitted cold storage tolerance for the 50- and 75-day storage periods. The storage of Trichogramma, using a 20-day acclimation period and up to 50 days under cold temperatures, did not adversely affect adult emergence, emergence time, sex ratio, parasitism, or progeny quality.