A PACKAGING AND DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR AERIAL RELEASE OF PHYTOSEIIDAE FOR BIOLOGICAL-CONTROL

A new packaging system for the aerial release of phytoseiids was desig ned and tested in the laboratory and in the field. The observed escape s before and after release, mortality during all stages of release, an d fecundity after release indicated that the system was suitable for t ransporting and distributing phytoseiids. Other evaluated properties o f the packaging system included container opening efficiency, containe r dispersion over the field at several fly-over altitudes, and the pro bability of containers to be lodged in the cassava canopy. Aerial rele ase trials followed by recoveries of viable adult female phytoseiids f rom the target fields demonstrated the feasibility of aerial releases as a means for distributing phytoseiid natural enemies.