Parasitoid Storage
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) serves as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. It advocates for the use of natural enemies, particularly egg parasitoids like Trichogramma, to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. These parasitoids have demonstrated their effectiveness in controlling pest populations on a global scale. However, their widespread integration into IPM encounters three significant stumbling blocks:
1) Limited Commercial Mass Production of Trichogrammatids: The logistics of producing Trichogrammatids on a commercial scale pose a formidable challenge. Meeting seasonal demands while maintaining a continuous supply is a complex undertaking.
2) Limited Shelf Life of Trichogrammatids: An equally critical issue is the lack of methods to reliably extend the shelf life of Trichogrammatids from a mere few weeks to several months. The aim is to align their availability with the fluctuations in seasonal demand effectively.
3) Limited Shelf Life of Host Insects: In addition to addressing the shelf life of Trichogrammatids, the shelf life of their host insects, such as rice moth eggs (Corcyra cephalonica), is another area of concern. Prolonging the viability of host insects is essential to ensure uninterrupted mass production of Trichogrammatid species.
My doctoral research addressed these lacunas by developing five ‘nature-inspired’ storage technologies of parasitoids and their host insects by using over-wintering strategies of insects and combining tools from the fields of insect ecology and physiology. The five technologies are as follows:
1) Short-term storage of seven different spp./strains of Trichogramma at 5 and 10°C for a period of one to two months.
2) Long-term storage for a minimum duration of three months via diapause induction in three tropical strains of Trichogramma chilonis and two exotic species: Trichogramma cordubensis and Trichogramma embryophagum.
3) Induction of diapause in non-amenable strains of Trichogramma chilonis via maternal influence, enabling their storage for up to three months.
4) Age-dependent storage of host eggs at 5°C for up to one week.
5) Storage of three strains of Trichogramma chilonis on Corcyra cephalonica eggs for a minimum of one month.
These technologies are currently adopted by the Indian government to promote the commercial mass production of Trichogramma. This approach not only aids in reducing pesticide usage but also fosters the preservation of natural predators within specific agro-ecosystems. In doing so, it contributes to enhanced crop protection, bolsters food security, and ensures safety which supports pesticide use reduction, conservation of natural enemies in specific agro-eco-systems, crop protection, food security, and safety.
