Influence of food type and cold storage duration on the longevity and emergence percentage ofaenasius arizonensis (girault)‎ associated with phenacoccus solenopsis tinsley

الملخص EN

Aenasius arizonensis (Girault)is considered as associated parasitoid withthe cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley which infesting many vegetable and field crops.

This investigation was conducted under laboratory conditions of25±1˚C with70±5% RH and a photoperiod of 12: 12 (L: D) hrs.

to study the influence of different food sources on the longevity of the parasitoid, A.

arizonensis.

Also, to evaluate the effects of cold storage temperatures and storage durations on the emergency percentages of the parasitoidand the longevities of adults.

The obtained resultsindicated that bees honey, molasses and bees honey + royal jelly were the best food sources for mass rearing of the parasitoid.

The adult emergence percentages of A.

arizonensis and the longevities of adults were significantly decreasing with the periods of storage compared with control treatment for females and males.

The 50% Emergence Percentage (EP₅₀) was assessed after 9.14 days of storage female pupae at 5˚C and after 12.72 days of storage at 10˚C.

TheEP₅₀ for male pupae was assessed after 9.20 days of storage at 5˚C and after 14.56 days of storage at 10˚C.

These results can be beneficial when choosing the best food source in mass production for the parasitoid and providing an opportunity to release cold stored parasitoids synchronously in fields during outbreak of pests.

These data may help us in developing an integrated pest control program against the aforementioned mealybug.