ASTM_E_2615_-_08.pdf

Designation:E261508Standard Specification forAphidoletes aphidimyza(Rondani)(Diptera:Cecidomyiidae)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2615;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 the purity and number of adultsreleased in commercial containers of the aphid predatorymidge,Aphidoletes aphidimyza(Rondani).1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The values given in parentheses are for informationonly.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Standards:2E2200 Specification for Information Included with Packag-ing of Multi-Cellular Biological Control Organisms(Withdrawn 2010)33.Terminology3.1 name of productAphidoletes aphidimyza Rondani3.2 preferred host preymost species of true aphids(Aphi-doidea).3.3 life stage when shippedpupal.4.Classification4.1 PhylumArthropoda.4.2 ClassInsecta.4.3 OrderDiptera.4.4 FamilyCecidomyiidae.4.5 GenusAphidoletes.4.6 Speciesaphidimyza.5.Summary of Test Method(Determining the Purity,SexRatio,and Number of Adults Released fromContainers of A.aphidimyza)5.1 This test method describes a method of determining thepurity,sex ratio,and number of adult A.aphidimyza released incontainers.5.2 This test method is for a standard commercial packageof 250 to 1000 midges packaged in vermiculite carrier in traysor bottles.Adult midges and any parasites are allowed toemerge over a 21 day period and are counted and the sex ratiodetermined.Any live parasite or arthropod product contami-nants are identified and recorded.6.Significance and Use6.1 The biological control of aphids by A.aphidimyzadepends on accurate release numbers,presence of male andfemale adults,and absence of live product contaminants suchas parasites and other insects and mites.This test will betypically employed by producers and users of the product toassess the number of live biological control agents delivered.Itis complementary to the quality guidelines for A.aphidimyzathat were developed by the International Organization ofBiological Control(IOBC)by J.van Schelt in 1998.7.Materials7.1 Clear(translucent)or white plastic container,with atight fitting lid(35 to 40 L capacity)with a bottom surface areaof approximately 1500 cm2),parallel lines marked 2.5 cm apartacross the entire bottom of the bin with permanent marker toaid in counting.One container is required for each test unit.7.2 A dissecting microscope or magnifier(7 to 20).7.3 A fine brush.7.4 A hand tally counter.8.Test Unit8.1 A single container of A.aphidimyza is considered a testunit.This test is designed for standard shipments of 250 to1000 midges.In large shipments,a minimum of three contain-ers should be chosen at random for testing.9.Pre-Test and Test Conditions9.1 Samples should be held in a warm place at 22 to 25C,and the vermiculite should be slightly moist and maintained at1This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 onPesticides,Antimicrobials,and Alternative Control Agents and is the directresponsibility of Subcommittee E35.30 on Natural Multi-Cellular(Metazoan)Biological Control Organisms.Current edition approved April 1,2008.Published May 2008.DOI:10.1520/E2615-08.2For 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.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 high relative humidity of 70 to 80%and a light regime of16L:8D(out of direct sunlight)during these tests.10.Sampling10.1 Sex Ratio test requires a minimum of 150 midges perbatch randomly selected from the emergence test.11.Sample Preparation and Treatment11.1 For each test unit,place the open bottle or traycontaining the midges in the center of the emergence containerand fasten the lid tightly.The majority of the adult midges willemerge over a period of 14 days,but to check for the presenceof parasites,the sample should be held for a total of 21 days.12.Counting Procedure12.1Remove the sample from the emergence bin,andcount all of the dead adult midges on the bottom of thecontainer using the reference lines to aid counting.12.2 PurityTo check for purity,examine the inside of thecontainer and surface of vermiculite for live aphids or otherinsect or mite contaminants during the quantity and emergencetest above and while counting.If live contaminants are found,identify and record these.Parasites are not commonly found,but the parasites Aphanogmus fulmeki(Ashmead)and Syno-peas rhanis(Walker)hav