In vitro rearing ofTrissolcus basalis [Hym., Scelionidae] an egg parasitoid ofNezara viridula [Hem., Pentatomidae]

In vitro rearing of the egg parasitoidTrissolcus basalis (WOLL.) from eggs collected on the natural hostNezara viridula (L.) was initiated. Several oligidic diets containing insect material (Manduca sexta hemolymph or host egg content) were tested. Our initial medium with 50% hemolymph induced a high egg mortality, but by decreasing the hemolymph concentration, increasing the hen egg yolk concentration and adding 15% of free amino acids mixture, a hatching rate of 85% of the parasitoid eggs was obtained with 39% reaching the second instar and 33% the third instar. In a medium without hemolymph, but with 18% liquid from parasitized host eggs we obtained 90% to 100% hatching, 25 to 27% reaching the second instar and 8% the third instar. We did not obtain pupation from eggsin vitro, but did get pupae and adults from larvae rearedin vivo to second instar and transfered to anin vitro system.