Low Temperature Storage of the Parasitoids of Uzi Fly, Exorista bombycis Louis (Diptera:Tachinidae) a Pest of Silkworm, Bombyx mori Linnaeus( Lepidoptera: Bombycidae)

Abstract

Possibility of low temperature storage of indigenous hymenopteran parasitoids of uzi fly (Exorista bombycis Louis) namely, Nesolynx thymus (Girault), Dirhinus anthracia Walker and Pachycrepoideus veerannai Narendran and AniI at various stages of life cycle, was investigated. Egg, larvae, pupae and adults of all the three parasitoids died when stored at 5 and 1 ODC. However, Dirhinus anthracia and Pachycrepoideus veerannai could be stored for 90 and 45 days, respectively at 15°C without hampering their reproductive potential. With increase in the duration of storage, a reduction in the adult parasitoid longevity and fecundity at ambient temperature was noticed.