280 J.C. van Lenteren et al.
Aphytis spp. (A. lingnanensis (Compere), A. melinus (De Bàch)) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)
Test conditions
Temperature: 25 ± 2°C
RH: 60 ± 10%
Light regime: 16L : 8D
Rearing host: Aspidiotus nerii
Quality control criteria
Quantity The number of live adults as specified on the container, n = 2; weekly
or batch-wise test.
Sex ratio 70 ± 10% females; 100 adults from bulk material; monthly.
Survival in transport 80%; 5 ×units; 5 days, T= 17 ± 2°C; monthly.
Fecundity 20 offspring per 5 days per female; 80% of females should live at
and longevity least 5 days; n= 30; seasonal test.
Description of testing methods
Sex ratio Examination of 100 adults with binocular microscope. Presence of
ovipositor on ventral surface to indicate females.
Survival in transport Approximately 1000 adults are confined to a capsule which also con-
tains sufficient honey in the lid. After 5 days, the capsules are
checked for mortality. Mortality after day 5 is < 20%; at least monthly
test or batch-wise if batches were exposed to special treatments (e.g.
storage procedures, long-range shipments).
Fecunditiy 30 females (age 24 h) are confined individually in a plastic capsule
and longevity with a male and a drop of honey. The capsule is affixed to the surface
of a squash infested with A. nerii. Each female should have access to
100 scales. The capsule and Aphytisare removed at day 5. A para-
sitism assessment of the scale is performed at day 14. Minimum
fecundity is 20 pupae per female; mortality after day 5 is 20%.
Comments
Recommend replacement of culture with field-collected strain every 2 years.
Initial design: D.F. Papacek and A.C. Dove.
Coordinators: D.F. Papacek and A.C. Dove.
Chrysoperla carneaSteph. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) Provisional test
Test conditions
Temperature: 25 ± 1°C
RH: 70 ± 5%
Light regime: 16L : 8D
Quality control criteria
WHEN SHIPPED AS EGGS
Quantity The number of eggs as specified on the package; a weekly test.
Hatching rate 65% within 5 days; n = 200; eggs must be isolated to prevent canni-
balism after emergence; a weekly test.
Predator quality 65% of newly hatched larvae has to develop to second-instar
larvae within 4 days using aphids as prey; to be conducted once a
year or when the rearing system is changed.