FEASIBILITY OF USING CRYOSTORED COLORADO POTATO BEETLE (COLEOPTERA, CHRYSOMELIDAE) EGGS FOR REARING EDOVUM-PUTTLERI (HYMENOPTERA, EULOPHIDOE)

Cryostored eggs of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata ( Say) eggs were suitable hosts for Edovum puttleri. Parasitism rates we re low, however this study was first to show that rearing the parasite on eggs stored at ultra low temperatures (-70 degrees C) is feasible. This method of storage will facilitate mass production of E. puttleri as well as prevent loss of the parasite in the event of a crash in th e Colorado potato beetle colony.