Storage techniques of mummies and adults of Aphidius gifuensis

Abstract

ABSTRACTTechnology for mass storage is one of the most important issues facing the use of parasitoids for biological control programmes. The emergence rate, the proportion of females, adult longevity, parasitism rate of Aphidius gifuensis after cold storage of mummies at 5°C for different time periods, and the effect of different diets on their longevity were assessed. The results indicated that 10–30 days was a suitable period for cold storage at 5°C, but that 20 days was optimal. The 5% glucose solution was a successful food supplement for A. gifuensis. These results are important to the commercial exploitation of this economically important parasitic wasp.