Storage studies of different stages of Anthocoris minki Dohrn (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) under low temperatures

The goal of this study was to evaluate the biological parameters of the predator Anthocoris minki Dohrn (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) over various periods of growth at low temperatures. Storage studies were conducted for the following three stages: 1) 1-3 stage nymphs, 2) 4-5 stage nymphs, and 3) adult stages. All stages of the predator were stored at 7, 11, and 15 +/- 1 degrees C for 10, 20, 30, and 40 days under continuous scotophase. During storage, food eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were added once a week. Following storage, the predator was transferred to long day periods (16:8 [L:D] h, 25 +/- 1 degrees C). A lower survival rate (7.33%) was determined for the 1-3 nymph stage following storage at 7 degrees C for 40 days. The highest survival percentage (90.0-92.0%) was determined for 1-3 stage nymphs and adult stage stored at 11 degrees C for 10-30 days. The largest quantity of eggs was obtained when A. minki was stored at 11 degrees C. Overall, our results indicated that A. minki can be stored for up to 40 days at 11 degrees C.