Storage of the egg-larval parasitoid, Ascogaster quadridentata (Hym.: Braconidae) inside its host larvae, Cydia pomonella under diapause conditions

The egg-larval parasitoid, Ascogaster quadridentata Wesmael (Hym.: Braconidae) was stored for six months in the mature larvae of codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lep.: Tortricidae), under diapause conditions. Percentage of parasitoid adults (wasps) emerged from CM larvae reared under diapause conditions was about 86.6%. The biological characteristics (weight and longevity) were similar for both wasps that were treated under standard and diapause conditions. The data showed that percentage of parasitism for females emerged from standard conditions was 86.4%, while increased significantly to 97.8% for females emerged from diapause conditions. These findings may contribute to the mass rearing of A. quadridentata.