Journal of Economic Entomology (2017) 110, 1476-1482

M. Benelli, E. Marchetti and M.L. Dindo (2017)
Effects of storage at suboptimal temperatures on the in vitro-reared parasitoid Exorista larvarum (Diptera: Tachinidae)
Journal of Economic Entomology 110 (4), 1476-1482
Abstract: Exorista larvarum (L.) is a tachinid parasitoid native to the Palearctic region, known as an antagonist of lepidopterous defoliators. This species is suitable to be cultured in vitro, and yields of fecund adults, approaching those usually attained in host larvae, have been previously achieved on artificial media. Direct oviposition by E. larvarum on media has not yet been obtained, and the eggs for the in vitro rearing are routinely removed from parasitized host larvae. However, many eggs are usually laid throughout the cage by captive females and can be retrieved by placing them on artificial media. Storage at low temperatures provides a method for prolonging the development of insects and stockpile them when not needed immediately. We studied the effects of storage at 20 °C (for 5 d or until pupation) or 15 °C (for 5 d or until egg hatching) on the in vitro development of E. larvarum. Lower temperatures were excluded, because previous studies showed a strong negative impact on hatching when the eggs were stored at 5 °C or 10 °C. For the experiments, eggs were removed from hosts and placed on an artificial medium. The results suggested that it is possible to delay the development of the in vitro-reared E. larvarum, which eventually reached the adult stage, although some negative effects on fly quality (i.e., longevity and fecundity) were also observed. Because quality is not an absolute concept, all the situations tested in this study could be appropriate according to the current requirements.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Maurizio Benelli

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
formulation/storage of bioagents
rearing/culturing/mass production

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Exorista larvarum (parasitoid)