Chong, J.H., & Oetting, R.D. 2006c Influence of temperature, nourishment, and storage period on the longevity and fecundity of the mealybug parasitoid, Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope Noyes and Menezes (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae).. Environmental Entomology 35(5): 1198-1207.

Notes: Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope Noyes and Menezes (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a candidate for biological control of the Madeira mealybug, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). P. madeirensis is a serious pest of horticultural crops in the southeastern United States. The first experiment studied the effect of temperature (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35C.C) and feeding treatment (starved, hydrated with distilled water, and nourished and hydrated with diluted honey) on adult longevity of Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope. Nourished and hydrated female parasitoids survived an average of 52.8 d at 15C.C, which was 14 and 8 times longer than starved and hydrated females at the same temperature, respectively, and 8 times longer than nourished and hydrated females at 35C.C. The second experiment studied the influence of feeding treatment on the reproduction of Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope at 25C.C. Nourished and hydrated female parasitoids lived (mean = 14.2 d) and reproduced (mean = 7 d) for a longer duration, parasitized more hosts (mean = 16), and produced more offspring (mean = 45) than starved or hydrated females. The third experiment assessed the longevity and reproduction of Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope after storage for various durations (0, 1, 4, 7, 14, 21 d) at 15 and 25C.C. Parasitoids stored at 15C.C had increased longevity and a decreased reproductive period but similar parasitism rates and fecundity to those stored at 25C.C. The results suggested that the parasitoids could be stored at 15 and 25C.C for up to 14 d without significant reduction in fecundity after release.