Project Number: 1926-22000-023-10
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Oct 01, 2010
End Date: Sep 29, 2013

Objective:
1) Determine the effect of host larval stage, density and host to parasitoid ratio on host attack rate and critical fitness parameters of EAB larval parasitoids (Tetrastichus planipennisi and Spathius sp). 2) Determine the optimal temperature and photoperiod for the mass rearing of long-lived parasitoids capable of sustained (survival) high host-attack rates (parasitism). 3) Develop and ring-test Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for mass rearing high quality EAB parasitoids.

Approach:
We will use the tropical ash-based method to rear EAB larvae for tests with two different species of EAB larval parasitoids: T. planipennisi (a gregarious endoparasitoids) and Spathius sp (a newly imported gregarious, ectoparasitoid). Freshly cut tropical ash logs will be infested with fertilized EAB eggs laid on strips of un-bleached coffee filter paper. EAB egg-infested logs will be then placed into ventilated plastic boxes, and incubated under normal rearing conditions (27oC; RH 45 - 65%, and photoperiod L:D=16:8 hrs) prior to use in different tests for Objectives 1 and 2. A standardized size of the tropical ash logs (2.5 cm in diameter x 20 cm in length) will be used to rear EAB larvae for different tests.