Effect of cold storage temperature on parasitization efficiency by Richogramma chilonis on stored Corcyra cephalonica

Abstract

The eggs of Corcyra cephalonica were stored at four different cold storage temperature viz. 4±1°C, 8±1°C, 10±1°C and 12±1°C for storage duration 15, 25, 35 and 45 days in refrigerator and BOD incubators. The parasitization efficiency on stored Corcyra egg by mother culture of Trichogramma chilonis were studied under standard laboratory condition. The parasitization is found to be maximum (92.30%) when Corcyra egg stored at 4±1°C upto 15 days. The per cent parasitization gradually decreased with the increase in duration. After 25, 35 and 45 days of storage the parasitization were reduced to 75.20%, 73.50% and 40.50% respectively at 4±1°C followed by 8±1°C with 82.60%, 75.30% and 25.60% respectively. The parasitization 86.00% was found to be highest at 10±1°C for 15 days of storage followed by 8±1°C (85.70%). The parasitization rate gradually decreasing with increase in storage duration and reached to 52.55% at 10±1°C upto 45 days of storage. The 4±1°C is best temperature for storage of Corcyra cephalonica egg followed by 10±1 °C upto 45 days of storage. The higher temperature 12±1°C were found unsuitable for storage of Corcyra cephalonica egg.