MASS-EMERGENCE DEVICES TO IMPROVE SYNCHRONY BETWEEN LISTRONOTUS BONARIENSIS AND MICROCTONUS HYPERODAE

摘要

A novel approach to conserving and augmenting parasitoids involves storing large numbers of parasitised hosts in mass-emergence devices. After eclosing inside the device, parasitoid adults, which are generally smaller than their hosts, are allowed toescape through a mesh screen, while any unparasitised hosts remain trapped. The goal of this study was to assess the potential of mass-emergence devices both for augmenting populations of the parasitoid Microctonus hyperodae and for manipulating its synchrony with its host the Argentine stem weevil, Listronotus bonariensis. The experiments demonstrated that a screen with a 900 um by 900 urn mesh is appropriate to separate parasitoid adults from their hosts, and that a device of very simple design couldbe effective. However, the survival of L. bonariensis and M. hyperodae was reduced by cool storage and food deprivation, and further development is required to overcome these limitations.