Effect of low temperature storage of trichocards on laboratory performance of Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead

Present study was carried to know the effective storage period of trichocards parasitized by T. japonicum when stored at low temperature of 13 ± 1°C. The results pointed out that adult emergence (F₀), adult longevity (F₀) and egg parasitization (F₁) of T. japonicum decreased with increase in the storage period from 5 to 50 days. Moreover, the parasitized trichocards of T. japonicum could be stored effectively up to 20 days without significant deterioration in their emergence, parasitic potential, and longevity (below 50%), as long as they are stored under low-temperature conditions (13 ± 1°C) in a refrigerator.