ASTM_E_2644_-_08.pdf

Designation:E264408Standard Specification forPodisus maculiventris(Say)(Hemiptera:Pentatomidae)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2644;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 quantification of commercial containers of thepredatory bug Podisus maculiventris(Say)(Hemiptera:Pen-tatomidae),predator of lepidopteran and coleopteran larvae.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Standards:2E2200 Specification for Information Included with Packag-ing of Multi-Cellular Biological Control Organisms(Withdrawn 2010)33.Terminology3.1 life stage when shippedimmature.3.2 name of productPodisus maculiventris(Say)3.3 carriershredded paper,wood shavings or vermiculite3.4 preferred host preylepidopteran and coleopteran lar-vae.4.Classification4.1 PhylumArthropoda.4.2 ClassInsecta.4.3 OrderHemiptera.4.4 FamilyPentotomidae.4.5 GenusPodisus.4.6 Speciesmaculiventris.5.Summary of Test Method(Determining Number of P.maculiventris per Container)5.1 This test method describes a method of counting thenumber of P.maculiventris packaged in vermiculite,shreddedpaper or wood shavings carrier.5.2 The number of living P.maculiventris will be deter-mined by examining a minimum of three containers anddetermining the mean value.In each container,live contami-nants will be identified and recorded.6.Significance and Use6.1The efficacy of lepidopteran and coleopteran larvalpredation by P.maculiventris depends on accurate releasenumbers of insects and absence of live product contaminants.Accurate packaging and maintenance of purity and viability ofP.maculiventris shipments is,therefore,essential for theeffective management of the target pest.This test method isintended for use by producers and users of the specifiedbiological control agent.It is complementary to the qualityguidelines for Podisus maculiventris that were developed bythe International Organization of Biological Control and pub-lished in Lenteren,J.C.van(ed.),2003.47.Materials7.1 Plastic tray.7.2 A hand counter.7.3 A wire screen of 0.25 cm grid size in frame.7.4 Clear snap-top plastic bottles(30 dram recommended).8.Test Unit8.1 A single container with P.maculiventris is considered atest unit.For large shipments,a minimum of three containersper shipment are to be randomly selected from the shippingbox.9.Pre-Test and Test Conditions9.1 Store containers with P.maculiventris between 5 to10C,relative humidity 60 to 90%,for a minimum of 1 h and1This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 onPesticides and Alternative Control Agents and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee E35.30 on Natural Multi-Cellular(Metazoan)Biological ControlOrganisms.Current edition approved Oct.1,2008.Published October 2008.DOI:10.1520/E2644-08.2For 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.4van Lenteren,et al.,“Guidelines for Quality Control of Commercially ProducedNatural Enemies,”Quality Control and Production for Biological Control AgentsTheory and Testing Procedures,J.C.van Lenteren,Ed.,CABI Publishing,2003,pp.278279.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 maximum of 24 h prior to examination.Test to be conductedunder normal lighting at room temperature 15 to 20C.10.Sampling10.1 Specify the number of insects expected in each test unitas indicated on the package before commencing test.11.Counting Procedure11.1 CountingTo accurately count the total number ofinsects,gently tap the bottom of container on a hard surface toremove all insects clinging to the lid.Empty the entire contentsof the bottle onto the wire screen to separate vermiculite frominsects and/or to remove any other packing material.Tappingthe container and collecting tray on a hard surface will causethe insects to drop to the bottom of the containers to preventescape during the counting procedure.Begin counting thenumber of living,active P.maculiventris by hand,sorting oneby one from one side of the counting tray into a secondcontainer while tallying with the hand counter.For ease incounting,use several clear snap-top plastic bottles to containinsects during the counting procedure.11.2 PurityDuring the counting procedure,record any livearthropod contaminants.12.Calculation12.1 The following formula is used to estimate the meannumber of