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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Biological Control of Insects Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #215999
Title: Short term storage conditions for transport and farm delivery of the stink bug Perillus bioculatus for the biological control of the Colorado potato beetle

Author
item LADURANTAYE, Y - UNIVERSITY LAVAL
item KHELIFI, M - UNIVERSITY LAVAL
item CLOUTIER, C - UNIVERSITY LAVAL
item Coudron, Thomas

Submitted to: Biological Engineering (ASABE)
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/20/2010
Publication Date: 8/25/2010
Citation: Ladurantaye, Y., Khelifi, M., Cloutier, C., Coudron, T.A. 2010. Short term storage conditions for transport and farm delivery of the stink bug Perillus bioculatus for the biological control of the Colorado potato beetle. Biological Engineering (ASABE). 52:1-7.

Interpretive Summary: In agriculture, where high competition and low profits are a daily reality, chemical insecticides have been popular due to their low cost and high efficiency on a short term basis. However, the over use of chemical insecticides can lead to reduced effectiveness and serious health and environmental problems. Improvements are needed in storage and delivery methods to reduce the cost and ease the application of natural biological alternatives in order for them to become competitive with insecticides. The objective of this study was to test short term storage methods that would improve the use of the predaceous two spotted stink bug for the control of the Colorado potato beetle. Temperatures between 9oC and 15oC were found to be suitable for storing second instars of the two spotted stink bug for up to 9 days. Survival was similar for all temperatures and storage time combinations but developmental rate after storage was best when warmer temperatures were used for the longer storage times. These findings will benefit both the producers and users of beneficial insects and will assist them in their efforts to ship and dispense insects as part of their biological control efforts.

Technical Abstract: The second instar of the predaceous pentatomid, Perillus bioculatus, was found to be a suitable developmental stage for short-term storage associated with release efforts to control field populations of pests, such as the Colorado potato beetle. Storage temperature, within the range of 9degC to 15degC, did not significantly affect the survival of second instar nymphs of P. bioculatus for short-term storage periods (i.e. up to 8 days). However, beyond this storage time, and especially at the lower temperatures, a significant number of nymphs died. Survival of second instar nymphs increased with elevation in storage temperature and at 15degC survival was similar to that found during continuous rearing at 20degC. For storage periods of less than 8 days, the lack of a photoperiod during storage did not affect the survival and development of young nymphs. The rate of development after storage was affected by storage temperature and length of storage time. Nymphs stored over 8 days at 9degC and 12degC had a significant delay of their post-storage development rate. In contrast, at 15degC, only those stored for 10 days had a significant delay in development. Consequently, a higher storage temperature may be necessary for the longer storage periods in order to prevent delays in post-storage development. Future studies should investigate the predaceous performance (i.e., search, find and prey qualities) of insects following various combinations of storage conditions.