Interactions Between Augmentatively Released Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and a Complex of Opiine Parasitoids in a Commercial Guava Orchard

A study was conducted to determine the eVect of augmentatively releasing mass-reared Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) on a complex of four co-existing parasitoid species which attack the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). The species belonging to this complex are the egg-pupal parasitoid, Biosteres arisanus (Sonan) and the larval-pupal parasitoids, Biosteres vandenboschi (Fullaway), D. longicaudata and Psyttalia incisi (Silvestri). The study site was a 160-ha commercial orchard of common guava, Psidium guajava L. (cv. Beaumont) located on Kauai island. One year before the release of D. longicaudata, B. arisanus was the dominant parasitoid, accounting for 91.1% of the parasitoids recovered. Despite releases of large numbers of D. longicaudata (600000-800 000 parasitized puparia/ week), B. arisanus continued to account for 90% of all parasitoids recovered from the oriental fruit fly. The larval parasitoid P. incisi may have been reduced as a result of D. longicaudata releases. D. longicaudata was significantly more abundant in over-ripe and rotting fruits compared with freshly fallen fruits. However, no increase in the overall percentage parasitism was observed in any fruit ripeness category. B. arisanus was eY cient at colonizing hosts when fruit fly densities and fruit abundance were relatively low in the orchard. The implications for future augmentative release programmes with D. longicaudata are discussed.     

Variation in biological parameters of Trichogramma spp. purchased from commercial suppliers in the United States

The efficacy of biological controlobtained through releases of commerciallysupplied Trichogramma is influenced by bothabiotic conditions in the field during andfollowing release and an array of biologicalattributes of the released Trichogramma. Thisstudy was undertaken to assess the degree ofvariation that existed among commerciallysupplied Trichogramma in an array of biologicalparameters that potentially may influence thelevel of control that can be expected in aTrichogramma release program. Shipments ofTrichogramma were obtained from 12 commercialsuppliers of beneficial insects over a 2-yearperiod and the following parameters weremeasured: percentage of emergence duringshipping, total percentage of emergence,percentage of females, percentage ofbrachypterous females, percentage ofbrachypterous males, adult female longevity,and species composition. In addition, weestimated the percentage of macropterousfemales that had not emerged prior to the timethe shipment was received, based on the firstfour parameters. Results indicate a high levelof variation in each of these parameters amongsuppliers of Trichogramma and among shipmentsby individual suppliers. The proportion ofnon-emerged macropterous female wasps was lowfor all suppliers (range 2.5–27.7%). Thiswas primarily attributable to the highincidence of brachyptery among female wasps. However, variation among suppliers in theincidence of emergence during shipping and theproportion of female wasps in a shipment alsocontributed to the low proportion ofnon-emerged macropterous female wasps. Inaddition, in 11 of 24 shipments received duringthe 2-year study, the Trichogramma speciesdiffered from that specified by the shipper orthe shipment contained a mixture ofTrichogramma species.     

Releases of Psyttalia fletcheri (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and sterile flies to suppress melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawaii

Ivy gourd, Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt, patches throughout Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island, HI, were identified as persistent sources of melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett). These patches had a low incidence of Psyttalia fletcheri (Silvestri), its major braconid parasitoid natural enemy in Hawaii, and were used to evaluate augmentative releases of P. fletcheri against melon fly. In field cage studies of releases, numbers of melon flies emerging from ivy gourd fruit placed inside treatment cages were reduced up to 21-fold, and numbers of parasitoids were increased 11-fold. In open field releases of P. fletcheri into ivy gourd patches, parasitization rates were increased 4.7 times in release plots compared with those in control plots. However, there was no significant reduction in emergence of melon flies from fruit. In subsequent cage tests with sterile melon flies and P. fletcheri, combinations of sterile flies and P. fletcheri produced the greatest reduction (9-fold) in melon fly emergence from zucchini, Cucurbita pepo L. Reductions obtained with sterile flies alone or in combination with parasitoids were significantly greater than those in the control, whereas those for parasitoids alone were not. Although these results suggest that the effects of sterile flies were greater than those for parasitoids, from a multitactic melon fly management strategy, sterile flies would complement the effects of P. fletcheri. Cost and sustainability of these nonchemical approaches will be examined further in an ongoing areawide pest management program for melon fly in Hawaii.     

The influence of humidity on emergence in Dacnusa sibirica Telenga (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

The effects of four humidities (33, 55, 76 and 93% relative humidity) and four ages (0–1, 2–3, 4–5, 6–7 days) of parasitized Chromatomyia syngenesiae puparia on adult emergence in the leafminer parasitoid Dacnusa sibirica were examined in the laboratory. Parasitized puparia harvested at 0–1 days were susceptible to low humidities resulting in a significantly reduced parasitoid emergence. Aging of the puparia appeared to protect the developing parasitoid from low humidities. Increasing humidity produced a corresponding increase in the longevity of the adult parasitoid.     

Pupal development of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) at different moisture values in four soil types

This study aimed to evaluate adult emergence and duration of the pupal stage of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), and emergence of the fruit fly parasitoid, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead), under different moisture conditions in four soil types, using soil water matric potential. Pupal stage duration in C. capitata was influenced differently for males and females. In females, only soil type affected pupal stage duration, which was longer in a clay soil. In males, pupal stage duration was individually influenced by moisture and soil type, with a reduction in pupal stage duration in a heavy clay soil and in a sandy clay, with longer duration in the clay soil. As matric potential decreased, duration of the pupal stage of C. capitata males increased, regardless of soil type. C. capitata emergence was affected by moisture, regardless of soil type, and was higher in drier soils. The emergence of D. longicaudata adults was individually influenced by soil type and moisture factors, and the number of emerged D. longicaudata adults was three times higher in sandy loam and lower in a heavy clay soil. Always, the number of emerged adults was higher at higher moisture conditions. C. capitata and D. longicaudata pupal development was affected by moisture and soil type, which may facilitate pest sampling and allow release areas for the parasitoid to be defined under field conditions.     

Effects of temperature and other environmental factors on the post‐diapause development of walnut husk fly Rhagoletis completa (Diptera: Tephritidae)

To more effectively manage walnut husk fly Rhagoletis completa (Diptera: Tephritidae), in California walnut orchards, it is important to understand the factors that affect the timing of adult emergence. In the present study, we examine the effects of incubation temperature, pre‐chill and chill durations, latitude, cultivar and size on the post‐diapause development of R. completa puparia. The lower developmental threshold, upper developmental threshold and optimal temperature for puparial development are estimated to be 4, 34 and 26.6 °C, respectively. The thermal requirement for adult emergence after 120 days of chilling is estimated to be 2024 degree days. Percentage adult emergence declines at both higher and lower incubation temperatures. Chill duration at 5 °C for diapausing puparia has a nonlinear negative effect on the thermal requirement but no effect on percentage emergence. Insufficient chilling leads to poor synchronization of adult emergence. Greater pre‐chill duration at room temperature increases the thermal requirement and slightly decreased percentage emergence. Latitude has a negative effect on the thermal requirement. Puparia from northern California black walnut (Juglans hindsii) have a slightly greater thermal requirement than puparia from cultivated walnut (Julgans regia). There is no significant difference in puparial fresh weight or mean thermal requirement between males and females, although the positive correlation between thermal requirement and puparial fresh weight is stronger for females than males. The effects of temperature and other environmental factors on the post‐diapause development of R. completa are discussed in relation to observations from other Rhagoletis species.     

Limited protection of the parasitoid Pachycrepoideus vindemiae from Drosophila suzukii host‐directed spinosad suppression

Laboratory trials were conducted to determine whether the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), puparium can provide an effective physical barrier to protect immature stages of the pupal parasitoid Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) from spinosad treatments. Spinosad insecticides are currently an important suppression strategy for D. suzukii in organically managed fruit orchards although they are well known to cause mortality in hymenopteran parasitoids. High adult P. vindemiae female mortality (83%) occurred within 24 h of exposure to D. suzukii pupae treated with 10 mg a.i. l^?1 spinosad and female parasitoids did not avoid the pupae treated with similar low levels of spinosad in choice tests that included untreated pupae. Pachycrepoideus vindemiae develops as an idiobiont ectoparasitoid on host fly pupa within the sclerotized host puparium. Significant P. vindemiae survival and emergence was recorded when parasitized D. suzukii puparia were exposed to field treatment levels of spinosad; however, the parasitoid survival was dependent on the time of the spinosad treatment of the host post‐parasitization. Significant parasitoid survival occurred when the host puparia were treated at 2 weeks when the parasitoid was in the pupal stage but did not occur when the host puparia were treated at 1 week post‐parasitization, when the parasitoids were still in a larval stage. The parasitoid adults consumed or otherwise came in contact with residual degrading spinosad when they exited the treated host, and consequently high and low adult parasitoid mortality occurred when the adults emerged from puparia treated at 2 and 1 week(s), respectively. Our study indicates that generally the integration of P. vindemiae parasitism into a sustainable D. suzukii management program is not compatible with spinosad treatments, although P. vindemiae in the pupal stage inside sclerotized host puparia appear to be minimally impacted by spinosad treatments, provided that the spinosad degrades before parasitoid emergence.     

Ripeness effects of three vegetable crops on abundance of augmentatively released psyttalia fletcheri (Hym.: Hraconidae): Improved sampling and release methods

Studies were done to determine the effect of 4 fruit ripeness levels on the abundance of Psyttalia fletcheri (Silvestri),a parasitoid of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett). In addition,an improved trapping method was developed for monitoring massreleased adult parasitoids in the field. A total of 420,000 adult P. fletcheri were released over a period of 15 weeks,in a 0.16 ha experimental field plot containing cucumber,zucchini and tomato in Kauai,HI. We recovered significantly more P. fletcheri from rotting fruits of all fruit types than from immature,commercial grade or oversized fruits. In addition,there was a positive correlation between the number of P. fletcheri and B. cucurbitae recovered from rotting fruits. Average parasitism in rotting tomato,zucchini and cucumber was 5,19 and 36% respectively. Yellow pan traps were as effective as sticky sphere traps for monitoring P. fletcheri,indicating that parasitoids were foraging close to the ground where rotting fruits occurred. The pan traps were much easier to use,less expensive and required less set up time. Recovery of parasitoids from both fruit collections and pan traps indicated that P. fletcheri was least abundant in tomato. Both male and female parasitoids exhibited a weakly aggregated distribution in each crop. We discuss modified sampling and release methods for population estimation and augmentative release studies of P. fletcheri.     

The calcified puparium of a fly

Chemical analyses were made of the exuviae, comprising hard puparia and thin inner membranes, which remain after emergence of adult Musca fergusoni. The puparia contain over 60% calcium and magnesium phosphates, some other minerals, substantial amounts of chitin (22%) and protein (11.5%), plus a small component of lipid (1%). The inner membranes are also heavily mineralized (29% ash, with silica the major component) and contain roughly equal portions of chitin (9%), other carbohydrates (10%) protein (13%), lipid (10%) and uric acid (13%). The amino acids in the proteins and the components of the minerals and the lipids were determined.Larval and adult cuticles are not calcified. The proteins in puparia are possibly not tanned but, if mineralization is a substitute for sclerotization, there is no apparent economy of amino acids. The minerals in puparia and the minerals and uric acid in inner membranes may result from storage-excretion.     

Comparison of effects of four weaning methods on health and performance of beef calves

Weaning of beef calves is a stressful event that negatively impacts health and performance. A variety of interventions have been proposed to reduce stress and improve gains following weaning. This study used 288 7- to 8-month-old calves from two separate locations, to examine four different weaning strategies, as well as the impact of shipment. Calves were blocked by weight and sex, and then randomly assigned to one of four treatments: abrupt weaning (AW), where calves were separated from the dam on day 0 (D0) and allowed no further contact with the dam; fence line (FL), where calves were weaned on D0 but had fence line contact with dams for 7 days; nose flap (NF), where on day -6 calves received a nose flap that interferes with suckling, then had the flap removed and were weaned from the dam on D0; and intermittent separation (SEP), where calves were removed from dams for 24-h intervals on day -13 and day -6, then weaned on D0, but allowed fence line contact with the dam for 7 days. Each treatment group was further divided into two subgroups, one of which was shipped early (D0 for AW, day 7 for others) or shipped later (day 28). Body weight and sickness were recorded for all groups. Results showed a negative impact on gain for early shipping compared to later shipping, and poorer gain in AW calves than most other treatments. Results of the analyses of morbidity were inconclusive. This study found that delayed shipment following FL weaning improves performance under common management conditions for the US cow–calf industry.     

Effect of hypoxia and its repercussions in packing pupae of the parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) for shipment

Hypoxia periods of 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72?h combined with temperatures of 15°C, 20°C and 25°C were applied to Diachasmimorpha longicaudata pupae in packaging conditions. Alternating temperatures of 26–20–26°C were applied to pupae in three sequential 4-h periods less than 12?h of hypoxia, and the effect of hypoxia on the pupae was evaluated under ambient conditions in commercial shipping. The emergence, longevity, fecundity and flight ability of adult parasitoids were recorded. The duration of hypoxia (>24?h) and the higher temperature (25°C) significantly reduced the emergence and longevity of adults. The different temperatures, including the variation in temperature combined with hypoxia, showed no significant effect on fecundity or flight ability. The temperature and humidity recorded during commercial shipping under hypoxia did not show any effect on the emergence of parasitoids. As a consequence, hypoxia was only notably significant after 24?h, which occasionally occurs in practical packaging processes. The use of hypoxia for shipping D. longicaudata pupae can be widely recommended, but long shipping periods and high temperatures should still be avoided.     

Parasitism on medfly by Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in different guava cultivars

The parasitism efficiency of the Braconidae wasp, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead), was checked on four guava cultivars (Paluma, Sassaoca, Pedro Sato and Kumagai) infested with larvae of medfly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Five blocks of eight fruits, each with two fruits of each cultivar, were put inside C. capitata adult cages, during 2h for oviposition, and a week later, when the larvae inside guavas were developed, the fruits were exposed to parasitoids for 24h. The mean fruit weight, larvae mortality, number of pupae, percentage of medfly and parasitoid emergence were evaluated. There was not statistical difference among cultivars to weight, larvae mortality, number of pupae e emergence of medfly. The percentage of parasitism was higher in Pedro Sato cultivar (19.8%) compared with Kumagai cultivar (2.9%), but it was statistically similar to the other cultivars.     

A radiographic method for rapid detection ofHylemya brassicae puparial parasitism

The efficiency of detecting parasitism in puparia ofHylemya brassicae (Bouché) with X-radiography was established as 92% as compared with results of actual rearing. The technique is more efficient with host puparia collected in the spring than in the previous fall, because both host and parasite are in more advanced developmental stages. the procedure did not affect host adult emergence, host oviposition, host egg hatching, or parasite emergence.     

Release method evaluation for swift fox reintroduction at Bad River Ranches in South Dakota

Reintroductions have increasingly become effective at restoring populations of imperiled native wildlife. How animals are reintroduced into unfamiliar environments may have pronounced impacts on behavior, survival, and reproduction. We evaluated the influence of four release methods on survival rates of translocated swift foxes at Bad River Ranches (BRR) in western South Dakota: (1) hard‐release, (2) short‐soft‐release, (3) long‐soft‐release, and (4) captive born. A total of 179 foxes captured in Wyoming during 2002–2007 and in Colorado during 2006–2007 were released into BRR and the surrounding area. In addition, 43 pups born to foxes in the long‐soft‐release category were also released. All release methods incorporated a 14‐ to 21‐day quarantine period. Hard‐release foxes were released directly from a transport kennel, whereas short‐soft‐release foxes were released from soft‐release pens by opening the door and allowing the foxes to leave voluntarily. Long‐soft‐release foxes were held for more than 250 days on‐site in soft‐release pens through the winter and released in the following year in early summer. During 2002–2007, survival of reintroduced foxes differed significantly (p < 0.05) by age (adult vs. juvenile), release year, and release method. The short‐soft‐release method had the highest 60‐day post‐release survival probability compared with the other release methods. We did not detect any differences in mortality hazards between wild‐born and short‐soft‐release foxes. Reintroduction programs based on short‐soft‐releases are useful for restoring or augmenting populations to advance the conservation of the swift fox.     

Effect of seasonal placement ofCotesia melanoscela (Hym.: Braconidae) on its potential for effective augmentative release againstLymantria dispar (Lep.: Lymantriidae)

Cohorts ofCotesia melanoscela (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) cocoons were exposed in the field at three Maryland locations to attack by natural enemies for two week periods, then were held in an outdoor insectary untilC. melanoscela adult or hyperparasitoid emergence. The timing of placement of theC. melanoscela cocoons in the field had a profound effect on the number ofC. melanoscela that survived and emerged as adults in synchrony with the field occurence of susceptible early-instarLymantria dispar (L.) larvae. The proportion of emerged adults available during susceptible host stages ranged from 1–92%, depending on dates of release. November or December placements ofC. melanoscela cocoons were most effective with 74–92 % emergence of adults during peak periods of susceptible host stages. Spring placements were least effective. The causes of ineffective placement, which varied with location and with date, were program (handling) loss, non-emergence, attack by hyperparasitoids, predation, andC. melanoscela adult emergence at times when appropriateL. dispar life stages would not be present. We concluded that November/December releases avoided natural enemies and promoted appropriate diapause and post-diapause development that enhanced survival and synchrony of adult emergence with host stage susceptibility.     

Dispersal ability of marked,irradiated olive fruit flies [Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae)] in arid regions

The dispersal of marked, irradiated olive fruit flies originating from a hybrid laboratory strain was studied in an olive groove located in the arid regions of southern Israel. Release–recapture experiments (eight in total) were conducted throughout a period of 5 months (July–December 2008). In each experiment, ca. 5000 flies were released. Recapture of flies was conducted using a grid of 30 yellow sticky traps set in expanding semicircles from the centre of release. Service of traps was conducted 3 and 15 days after the release. Fly quality and adult food type (only sucrose and protein + sucrose) before release was also investigated. Results point at an average dispersal distance of marked, irradiated olive flies of ca. 50 m. Pre‐release adult diet did not affect dispersal ability. Fly recovery averaged ca. 3.5% during summer and ca. 1.5% during autumn. Most of the recovery concentrated during the first 3 days after releases, suggesting low survival of the released flies afterwards. As inferred from circular statistics, direction of dispersal was non‐random with a significant directionality to the north‐west. Results are discussed in view of environmental temperatures and wind direction.     

Effect of exposure time on mass‐rearing production of the olive fruit fly parasitoid,Psyttalia lounsburyi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Classical biological control programmes rely on mass production of high‐quality beneficial insects for subsequent releases into the field. Psyttalia lounsburyi (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a koinobiont larval–pupal endoparasitoid of tephritid flies that is being reared to support a classical biological control programme for olive fruit fly in California. The mass‐rearing system for a P. lounsburyi colony, initiated with insects originally collected in Kenya, was evaluated with the goal of increasing production, while at the same time reducing time requirements for rearing in a quarantine facility. We tested the effect of exposure time of a factitious host Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), on parasitization, adult production, superparasitism, and sex ratio of P. lounsburyi and survival of the host. Parasitization rates were highest (31%) at 3‐ and 4‐hr exposure times, while adult production (i.e., emergence of wasp progeny) was highest (16%) at the 2‐hr exposure time. Superparasitism over the course of the study was 1.5% and did not appear to be a factor affecting parasitoid production. The sex ratio of wasp progeny was male‐biased and did not vary significantly over different exposure times. The rate of stings on host larvae increased with exposure time and was consistent with decreases in pupal eclosion from larvae and emergence rate of adult flies. When compared to current rearing procedures, the 2‐hr exposure time resulted in an overall 2.8‐fold increase in P. lounsburyi production when standardized for time.     

The screw-worm flyChrysomya bezziana villeneuve (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in a sterile insect release trial in Papua New Guinea

The feasibility of the sterile insect release method (SIRM) was tested against natural populations of the Old World screw-worm fly, Chrysomya bezziana in the Musa Valley, Papua New Guinea. Sterile mating frequencies were determined from egg masses laid by native females on wounded, sentinel cattle. The aerial release of sterilised puparia resulted in low frequencies of sterile matings and few trap recaptures of released material. The release of chilled adult flies resulted in higher frequencies of sterile matings and many trap recaptures. The mean density of males released was 230 males per km² per week over a target area of 361 km² (48% of the valley). Sterile masses were first detected 2 weeks after the release of chill flies commenced, reaching a weekly peak of 33% after 5 weeks of releases with 15% of egg masses found to be sterile during the final month. The levels of sterile matings achieved in this trial were similar to comparable SIRM studies made in the USA, Mexico and Guatemala to control the New World screw-worm fly, Cochliomyia hominivorax.     

Host status of ‘Scifresh’ apples to the invasive fruit fly species Bactrocera dorsalis,Zeugodacus cucurbitae,and Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

We conducted no-choice cage and field infestation studies to determine if the fruit of apples (Malus x domestica L., ‘Scifresh’) are hosts for three invasive tephritid fruit fly species that may enter New Zealand or other apple growing areas. In screen cage tests, punctured and unpunctured (intact) fruit of ‘Scifresh’ apples were exposed to gravid females of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Oriental fruit fly), Zeugodacus (Bactrocera) cucurbitae (Coquillet) (melon fly), or Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Mediterranean fruit fly), outdoors for 24 h and then held on sand in the laboratory for four weeks for pupal development and adult emergence. Unpunctured fruit produced an average of 269.4, 4.3 and 70.1 puparia per kg of fruit for B. dorsalis, Z. cucurbitae and C. capitata, respectively. Punctured fruit produced an average of 619.4, 0.8 and 129.5 puparia per kg of fruit for B. dorsalis, Z. cucurbitae and C. capitata, respectively. By comparison, unpunctured and punctured papaya fruit (Carica papaya, ‘Rainbow’, a preferred host) produced 206–675 and 464–735 puparia per kg of fruit, respectively, across all species. In general, the average weight of individual fruit fly puparia from apple was significantly less (41–71%) than that of puparia reared from papaya, and development times were slower on apple than on papaya. Overall, ‘Scifresh’ apples were a moderately good host for B. dorsalis and C. capitata, and a very poor host for Z. cucurbitae in cage tests. Field exposure of ‘Scifresh’ apples suspended from papaya trees resulted in no infestation by B. dorsalis or Z. cucurbitae under natural conditions. This information will help to inform decisions about quarantine restrictions and potential crop loss in the event of incursions of these fruit flies into apple-producing countries.     

Trichogramma exiguum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) releases in North Carolina cotton: evaluation of heliothine pest suppression

Field studies were conducted in 1996 and 1997 to reevaluate the use of augmentative releases of Trichogramma wasps for heliothine management in cotton. In 1996, nine releases of Trichogramma exiguum Pinto & Platner, spaced 3-4 d apart, were made into three 0.4-ha cotton plots. Six weekly releases were made in 1997, each containing two T. exiguum cohorts developmentally staggered by 45 degrees C degree-days. Field release rates, estimated from laboratory and field quality control data, averaged 108,357 T. exiguum female female per hectare per cohort per release in 1996 and 193,366 female female per hectare per cohort per release in 1997. In 1996, mean +/- SD adult emergence under laboratory conditions for released cohorts was 92 +/- 7%; 62 +/- 5% of emerged adults were females, 3 +/- 2% of females displayed brachyptery (nonfunctional wings), mean female longevity under laboratory conditions was 15 +/- 4 d, and mean +/- SD field emergence was 97 +/- 2%. Quality control measurements were similar in 1997. In 1996, mean +/- SD percent parasitism of heliothine eggs in field plots on the sampled dates ranged from 67 +/- 4 to 83 +/- 5% in T. exiguum release plots and 25 +/- 9 to 55 +/- 8% in control plots. In 1997, parasitism levels ranged from 74 +/- 4 to 89 +/- 5% in T. exiguum release plots and 18 +/- 18 to 69 +/- 11% in control plots. Despite increased parasitism levels in T. exiguum release plots, there were no significant differences in density of fifth instars, boll damage, or yield between T. exiguum release and control plots. Therefore, it is concluded that Trichogramma augmentation is not an effective heliothine management tool in North Carolina cotton.