Effect of Short Term Cold Storage on the Quality of \u3ci\u3eTrichogramma Brassicae, T. Cacoeciae\u3c/i\u3e, and \u3ci\u3eT. Evanescens\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchall, T. brassicae Bezdenko and T. evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) could be useful in biological control programs of agricultural insect pests. The possibility of storing Trichogramma species at low temperatures and the effect of such storage on the quality of the parasitoids and their fecundity were studied. Trichogramma cacoeciae, T. brassicae and T. evanescens pupae were stored 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks at 4 ± 1 °C in a refrigerator, 60-70% R.H. and full darkness. Parasitoid emergence was 98.80%, 99.33% and 99.60% for T. cacoeciae, T. brassicae and T. evanescens, respectively, after 1 week of storage. Storage at 4 ± 1 °C resulted in a significant decline in parasitoid emergence after 3 weeks. Subsequent trials focused on fitness of stored pupae in terms of percentage of parasitized eggs and longevity of females. Storage at 4 ± 1°C reduced fecundity and longevity of female parasitoids