Marking Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) with fluorescent marker dust and its effect on survival and flight behavior

A marking technique for Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko was developed using a fluorescent marker dust deposited in 29.5-ml clear plastic cups. Three doses (100, 200, and 400 mg) and 2 methods (wet and dry to deliver the fluorescent dye were used. Adult T. brassicae were allowed to self-mark in dye-treated cups for 1 h before assessment of survival, mark retention, and flight behavior. Marking did not affect T. brassicae survival. Average survival time ranged from 63 to 74 h in the dry-marked method, 72 to 84 in the wet method, and 48 to 98 h in the control. The 2 methods differed significantly in the number of individuals that retained a mark fur at least 24 h. In the dry method 65-66% were marked versus 8-23% in the wet method. Flight response in individuals marked by the dry method was depressed significantly at the highest dose but unaffected in it-asps marked by the wet method. The potential uses and limitation of these techniques are discussed.