Optimal cold storage protocol for Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a biological control agent for coleopteran pests in stored products

Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) is a solitary ectoparasitoid with wide-ranging potential applications as a natural biological control agent against various coleopterous pests in food warehouses. Implementing an effective cold storage program is crucial for extending the shelf life of biological control agents and ensuring their stable and abundant supply. Herein, we attempted to determine the optimal cold storage conditions for Anisopteromalus calandrae by investigating the effect of cold storage at three different temperatures (7, 13, and 19 °C) for 7, 21, and 35 days on four developmental stages (late-instar larvae, early-stage pupae, mid-stage pupae, and 2-day-old adults). Additionally, we explored the maximum cold storage potential by observing early-stage pupae stored at 13 °C for various durations (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 days).