COLD STORAGE OF THE EGG PARASITOID, Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) AND ITS EFFECT ON SOME BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Nezara viridula (L.) egg masses were parasitized by Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) at 28±1°C then the parasitized egg masses were stored at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20°C for different periods of storage. Percentage of parasitized eggs, successful parasitism and sex ratio of T. basalis were evaluated. Results of this study showed that N. viridula parasitized eggs could be stored for four weeks at 16 and 20±1°C but only three weeks storage was possible at 12±1°C. Even though there were significant differences between percentage of parasitized eggs, successful parasitism and sex ratio at different storage temperature and different storage periods. High mean emergence showed at 20±°C, ranging from 78.5% to 92.5%, while the lathe number of emergence was at 12°C. Meanwhile, successful parasitism increased with the increase of storage temperature. While, it will be decreased with the increased in storage periods. Data also revealed that average of egg-larval stages, pupal stage and total developmental time were increased with the increase of storage periods, While they will be decreased with the increased in storage temperature.