Applied Entomology and Zoology (2000) 35, 381-388

Yuichi Nakahara and Kikuo Iwabuchi (2000)
In vitro rearing of the larval endoparasitoid, Venturia canescens (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) - IV. Effects of osmotic pressure and pH on larval development
Applied Entomology and Zoology 35 (3), 381-388
Abstract: In vitro rearing of V. canescens embryos and larvae was studied. Because physical requirements as well as nutritional requirements are critical for in vitro rearing of parasitoids, we examined the effects of osmotic pressure and pH of culture medium on larval growth and development of this parasitoid. Larvae grew in Galleria pupal extract (GPE) medium with osmotic pressure ranging from approximately 300 to 700 mOs-mol/kg, but their growth was retarded at above 427 mOsmol/kg. V. canescens larvae were tolerant to a pH range of the medium from 6.1 to 7.9, and relatively rapid growth was achieved at pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.1. In this rearing system, last stadium larvae became abnormally large in body size apparently due to uptake of too much water from the medium. After cocoon formation, they excreted a watery excrement, which could partly be responsible for their failure to pupate.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
rearing/culturing/mass production

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Venturia canescens (parasitoid)			Japan