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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #300026

Title: Survival of adult Tamarixia radiata subjected to different short-term storage methods prior to field releases for biological control of Asian citrus psyllid

Author
item Hall, David
item KLEIN, ETHAN - Dartmouth College

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2014
Publication Date: 3/1/2014
Citation: Hall, D.G., Klein, E.M. 2014. Survival of adult Tamarixia radiata subjected to different short-term storage methods prior to field releases for biological control of Asian citrus psyllid. Florida Entomologist. 97:298-300.

Interpretive Summary: Tamarixia is an insect parasitoid of the Asian citrus psyllid. The psyllid is an important pest of citrus because it vectors pathogens responsible for a serious disease of citrus known as citrus greening disease. Tamarixia is regarded as one of the psyllid’s most important natural enemies and is thus being mass-reared and released by a number of laboratories in the United States. We found that newly-emerged adult Tamarixia can be stored at 20 to 30°C in vials containing honey with greater than 95% survival for up to 14 d. However, parasitoids stored for 14 d with honey at 25°C parasitized fewer psyllid nymphs than newly emerged parasitoids. Thus, adult parasitoids can be stored but should be released as soon as possible for maximal parasitism.

Technical Abstract: Tamarixia radiata is regarded as one of the Asian citrus psyllid’s most important natural enemies and is thus currently being mass-reared and released by a number of laboratories in North America. It may not always be possible to immediately release newly-emerged adults, in which case it would be advantageous to store the parasitoids under optimal conditions until release. We found that newly-emerged adult T. radiata can be stored at 20 to 30°C (14 h light photo phase) in vials containing honey with greater than 95% survival for up to 14 d. However, parasitoids stored for 14 d with honey at 25°C parasitized fewer psyllid nymphs than newly emerged parasitoids. Thus, adult parasitoids can be stored but should be released as soon as possible for maximal parasitism.