0851996884.pdf

2.A tiered system of quality analysis was
proposed:

Tier I: Test if numbers, mortality, species

conforms to package information.

Tier II: Test the sex ratio and minimum

specified longevity.

Tier III: Test fecundity and flight.

3.It was proposed that fecundity should be
tested on groups of 50 or more unsexed indi-
viduals housed individually with abundant
prey/hosts and a population reproductive
index (PRI) generated that could replace the
time-consuming sexing, longevity and fecun-
dity testing. PRI would be computed as the
total number of eggs laid, divided by the
numbers of housed individuals. PRI repre-
sents the relative ability of the population to
reproduce itself.
4.Inexpensive chemical techniques are
needed for the identification of Trichogramma
species.
5.Methods of selecting a random sample to
go with each protocol are needed.
6.In any case where adults were used for
reproduction prior to being sold, that should
be stated on the package.

Consideration of International Organization

for Standardization (ISO) certification, 1995

During 1995, some ANBP members considered
working within the ISO framework for certifi-
cation. Two points quickly became clear: (i) the
process was very expensive; and (ii) good
product standards would be necessary for this
certification to have any relationship to prod-
uct quality. Further, the ISO system appeared
to certify process, not product quality.

Quality assurance definitions adopted, 1995

The ANBP Board voted unanimously in 1995
to adopt the quality assurance definitions in
the draft of what eventually became Penn et
al.(1998) (see above).

Standard package information adopted, 1996

Since product profiles were too cumbersome
to attach to every package, the ANBP dis-

cussed and unanimously adopted (ANBP

annual meeting in Sacramento, California, 28

January 1996) the following standard for

minimum package information to appear on

the package:

Package labels show at the minimum:

• the name(s) of the beneficial species in the
  package;


• the number of beneficial individuals in
  the package and the packing date;


• the level of purity of the predators and
  parasitoids in the package. This statement
  of purity does not refer to the prey or car-
  rier in the package.

The package contents are as claimed on the label:

• the species in the package are as claimed
  on the label;


• the number of live individuals of the
  stated species is at least 100% of the quan-
  tity stated on the package;


• the purity of the beneficial species at the
  time of packing is as stated on the label.

The consensus of the producers was that:

• an individual company’s guarantee cov-
  ers the condition of beneficials on arrival
  at the initial destination;


• distributors need standards of their own.

American Society for Testing and Materials

(ASTM) subcommittee formed, 1998

After discussions at the ANBP meetings in

1997 and 1998, the group unanimously

agreed to formalize an ASTM standards

development activity as Subcommittee

E35.30 within ASTM Committee E35 on

Pesticides. The group suggested that the

main committee broaden its name to include

biological pest-control agents. They

approved the subcommittee title ‘Sub-

committee E35.30 on Natural Multi-cellular

(Metazoan) Biological Control Organisms’

and its scope:

The development of standard definitions,

classifications, appropriate test methods, and

recommended practices for quality, handling,

distribution and use of natural multi-cellular

biological control organisms. The activities will

Development of Quality Control in North America 209