Investigation of Cold Storage Possibilities in Mass Production of Adult Stages of Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae)

In this study, the effect of exposing the adult stages of the predator Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) to cold temperatures for varying lengths of time was examined. In the experiment, individuals that reached adultstage on the same day were kept in the dark for 5, 10, and 15 days at 7, 10, and 15°C. Adults kept at low temperatures were fed three times per week with eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and cotton wool soaked in honey water. Individuals of N. tenuis that survived storage were reared at 25°C under long-day conditions (16:8 L:D). The lowest adult survival rate after storage was 65.00% when held at 7°C for 15 days, while the highest survival rates were 94.00% and 98.00% when stored at 7 and 10°C, respectively, for 5 days. The most extended longevity in individuals reared following storage was 14.06 days at 7°C and 14.94 days at 10°C, respectively, while the shortest lifespan was 8.10 days in adults held at 15°C for 15 days. The average number of nymphs produced by adults kepted at 7°C for 15 days was 322.4, while the number produced by adults kept at 15°C for 15 days was 47.6. Except for the nymphs acquired from adults held at 15°C for 15 days, the number of nymphs obtained from adults stored at other dates and temperatures did not differ statistically from the control group. The study concludes that those who intend to mass-produce N. tenuis adults should store them at temperatures between 7 and 10°C for up to 10 days.