ASTM_E_2360_-_04_2010.pdf

Designation:E236004(Reapproved 2010)Standard Specification forCryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant(Coleoptera:Coccinellidae)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2360;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This specification covers information on and the testmethod for determining purity,sex ratio,and number of adultsin shipments of the predatory beetle Cryptolaemus montrouz-ieri.1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E2200 Specification for Information Included with Packag-ing of Multi-Cellular Biological Control Organisms(Withdrawn 2010)33.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 carriershredded paper.3.1.2 life stage when shippedadult.3.1.3 name of productCryptolaemus montrouzieri Mul-sant.3.1.4 preferred host preymealybugs.4.Classification4.1 PhylumArthropoda.4.2 ClassInsecta.4.3 OrderColeoptera.4.4 FamilyCoccinellidae.4.5 GenusCryptolaemus.4.6 Speciesmontrouzieri.TEST METHODDETERMINING THE PURITY,SEXRATIO,AND NUMBER OF ADULTS IN SHIPMENTSOF C.montrouzieri5.Summary of Test Method5.1 This test method describes a method of counting thenumber of C.montrouzieri beetles packaged in a carrier.5.2 The number of C.montrouzieri will be determined byexamining a minimum of three units and determining the meanvalue.In each container,live contaminants will be identifiedand recorded.6.Significance and Use6.1 The efficacy of mealybug control by C.montrouzieridepends on accurate release numbers of beetles,presence ofmale and female beetles,and absence of live product contami-nants.Accurate packaging and maintenance of purity andviability of C.montrouzieri shipments is,therefore,essentialfor the effective management of the target pest.This testmethod is intended for use by producers and end-users of thespecified biological control agent.It is complementary to thequality guidelines for Cryptolaemus montrouzieri4.7.Materials7.1 Dissecting microscope or headband magnifier(7 to10).7.2 30 DR snap-top plastic vial.7.3 Pharmaceutical pill counting tray.7.4 Fine-pointed No.5/0 paint brush.8.Test Unit8.1 A single container with C.montrouzieri is considered atest unit.A minimum of three containers per shipment will berandomly selected from the shipping box.1This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 onPesticides,Antimicrobials,and Alternative Control Agentsand is the direct respon-sibility of Subcommittee E35.30 on Natural Multi-Cellular(Metazoan)BiologicalControl Organisms.Current edition approved Oct.1,2010.Published November 2010.Originallyapproved in 2004.Last previous edition approved in 2004 as E2360 04.DOI:10.1520/E2360-04R10.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.4Developed by the International Organization of Biological Control and pub-lished in Lenteren,J.C.van(ed.),2003.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 9.Pre-Test Conditions9.1 If samples must be held before testing,keep at 15C,relative humidity 60 to 90%,for a maximum of 24 h.9.2 Chill beetles at 10C for one hour prior to counting.10.Sampling10.1 Specify the number of adults that are expected in eachtest unit as indicated on the package before commencing test.11.Counting Procedure and Sex Ratio Determination11.1 Carefully remove any packing material by hand,allow-ing the beetles to drop back into container.If beetles have beenshipped in a large container,it is advisable to transfer thebeetles to a snap-top vial or bottle for ease in handling.Gentlytap a portion of the beetles onto the counting tray andimmediately start counting beetles.Record the count,thenbrush the counted beetles into the pill tray reservoir.Store thecounted beetles in a second container with a snap-on lid.Repeat the process until all the beetles are counted.Whilecounting the beetles,record the presence of any live arthropodsother than adult Cryptolaemus beetles.Since the beetles start towarm during the counting process,the sample container mustbe repeatedly tapped on a hard surface to cause the beetles todrop to the bottom of container to prevent escape.Forquantities greater than 500 beetles,sub-sampling 10%byweight or volume is recommended.For determining sex ratio,beetles can be examined chilled or dead.The ventral surface ofeach beetle is examined and the sex recorded.The sex isdetermined by the color