Diets for Tamarixia triozae adults before releasing in augmentative biological control

Abstract The effectiveness of augmentative biological control using parasitoids often depends on their physiological state and the pest population density at time release. Tamarixia triozae (Burks) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is a primary host-feeding parasitoid serious invasive Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae). Here we investigated effects adult diets (honey, water, yeast, hosts) timing provision T. fitness oviposition patterns, providing knowledge for enhancement its potential. Adults fed with honey four days no access to hosts or water yeast one day followed by host feeding three had similar longevity lifetime killing ability. only before release significantly greater intrinsic rate increase, shorter doubling time, higher daily fecundity peak. flattened curves. These findings have several implications . First, diet may allow least successful shipment host-deprived adults without compromising effectiveness. Second, one-day achieve rapid suppression when high. Finally, releasing three-day can increase establishment success reduce risk massive removal low.