Culture and consignment techiques used for parasites introduced against Queensland fruit fly. (Strumeta tryoni (Frogg.))

Abstract

The paper describes techniques used in rearing and transporting parasites of the oriental fruit fly (Dacus dorsalis) liberated in Australia against the Queensland fruit fly (Strumeta tryoni) during 1956–1959. The principal species reared were Opius oophilus, O. vandenboschi, and O. longicaudatus at Sydney and Honolulu, and O. incisi at Honolulu only. The laboratory hosts were Strumeta tryoni alt Sydney and Dacus dorsalis at Honolulu. A culture medium consisting of banana tissue and a carrot-yeast mixture was developed in which the immature host stages developed satisfactorily and were readily available for parasitization. During 1958 and 1959, the major periods of liberation, most of the wasps were reared at Honolulu and sent by air to Australia. To prevent introduction of' unwanted insects, all wasps were immobilized with carbon dioxide for checks of identification at both Honolulu and Sydney. The carbon dioxide treatment had some slightly unfavourable effects which were outweighed by the usefulness of the technique. About 83% of the 583 000 opiine wasps shipped survived to be liberated.