Abstract

The quality (number of live individuals) of biological control agents, such as parasitoids and predators, is important to ensure the success of biological control programs. Shipment quality of slow-release sachets containing the predatory mite, Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), and release cards containing the whitefly parasitoids, Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and Eretmocerus eremicus Rose & Zolnerowich (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), was determined from a distributor/supplier in 2023. Slow-release sachets containing predatory mites were inserted into a mold of clay placed on a 7.6 × 12.7 cm yellow sticky card. The number of adults that emerged and were captured on the yellow sticky card was recorded. Release cards containing parasitized pupae of the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), or sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), were placed into a 225-mL Mason jar and a 2.5 × 2.5 cm yellow sticky square was attached to the lid underside. The number of adults captured on the yellow sticky square was recorded. The numbers of N. cucumeris, E. formosa, and E. eremicus adults that emerged from slow-release sachets or release cards varied depending on shipment date. The mean (± SEM) number of adults on the final assessment date was between 156.2 ± 12.9 and 410.0 ± 24.2 for N. cucumeris, 47.8 ± 2.2 and 52.6 ± 1.2 for E. formosa, and 40.0 ± 5.0 and 75.2 ± 9.4 for E. eremicus. Greenhouse producers should assess whether biological control agent shipments are viable when released into greenhouse production systems.