IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY-CONTROL METHODS FOR AUGMENTATIVE RELEASES OF THE FRUIT-FLY PARASITOIDS, DIACHASMIMORPHA-LONGICAUDATA AND PSYTTALIA-FLETCHERI (HYMENOPTERA, BRACONIDAE)

Criteria were established to improve quality control methods for augme ntative releases of the opiine parasitoids. Diachasmimorpha longicauda ta (Ashmead) and Psyttalia fletcheri (Silverstri). These included corr elating puparial weight with adult emergence and sex ratio at the Hono lulu rearing facility, and determining the effect of air shipments and field releases on parasitoid emergence and subsequent mortality. Ther e was a positive relationship between the weight of 7-10-day-old host puparia and percentage of emergence for both D. longicaudata and P. fl etcheri. Standardization of shipping methods included placement of ice blocks in the top levels of the ice chests, prompt shipment and pick- up of samples, and cooling of puparia before shipment to minimize meta bolic heat generated in the samples, and to delay emergence of samples . Before standardization, emergence losses of up to 58% were observed for D. longicaudata and 18% for P. fletcheri. When shipping methods we re standardized, emergence was no longer reduced. In addition, low eme rgence rates were associated with reduced flight propensity of D. long icaudata (R(s) = - 0.45 at Kilauea and - 0.54 at Kealia). At the two r elease sites, 88-95% of adult D. longicaudata that did not escape the release containers were males.