Gonatocerus ashmeadi production |
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Parasitoïds used for the biocontrol program in French Polynesia were reared in a secure quarantine facility at the Entomological Laboratory of the Rural Development Service in Papara ( Tahiti). The rearing was set up with a parent population of 400 adult G. ashmeadi and parasitized GWSS eggs imported from the GWSS Biological Control Program being run at the University of California, Riverside in September 2004. Parasitoïds were maintained in quarantine until the release was authorized by the local government in May 2005. |
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permanent set up of of parasitoïd rearing |
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Mass production of G. ashmeadi involves three permanent set up: (1) a plant nursery to produce host plants for GWSS to lay eggs on; (2) a GWSS colony used to produce eggs for parasitoids to attack, and (3) a parasitoïd colony. Plants (i.e., cordyline and beans) are grown in the plant nursery and placed in the GWSS colony for feeding and egg-laying. GWSS eggs are collected and transferred to the parasitoïd colony. In the parasitoïd colony, reproductive adult females lay their eggs inside GWSS eggs which produces new parasitoïds for the release and for maintaining the colony. Production capacity for G. ashmeadi in Papara is close to 1000 adults per week. |
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plant nursery |
GWSS rearing |
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| GWSS eggs preparation |
GWSS eggs in parasitoid rearing |
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| parasitoid rearing | parasitoid rearing |