STORAGE OF THE MASS-PRODUCED PREDATOR CHRYSOPERLA-CARNEA (NEUROPTERA, CHRYSOPIDAE) - INFLUENCE OF PHOTOPERIOD, TEMPERATURE, AND DIET

Short- and long-term storage (shelf-life) of diapausing Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) adults can be achieved efficiently through manipulation of photoperiod, temperature, and diet. Short-term storage (up to 10 wk) was accomplished under short day lengths (10:14-8:16 [L:D] h) at temperatures up to 21 degrees C. Storage of 10-18 wk was accomplished at relatively low storage temperatures (5-10 degrees C). Long-term storage (18-31 wk or longer) was most efficient when pupae or young adults experienced a decrease in day length and diapausing adults were maintained under very short day length (8:16 [L:D] h) at 5 degrees C; under these conditions, reproduction by poststorage adults equaled that of unstored adults. High survival and excellent poststorage reproduction occurred when the animals received a high carbohydrate diet before storage and a carbohydrate and protein diet during and after storage.