Trissolcus / Stinkbug Procedures

Protocol for Parasitoids and Egg Masses

1.) The egg mass comes in from the field, parasitoids emerge (or not) and the parasitoids go directly into ethanol. If the parasitoids all have the same emergence data, they can go into a single vial with as many barcodes as there are specimens.

2.) The egg mass is glued (I used Elmer's glue) to a card mount which is on an insect pin, along with the barcode (as in the photo).

3.) At this point all of the data should be in the spreadsheet. Identifications should be made as best as can be done with confidence. Species-level identification can be done either in Newark, Delaware, or at the SEL in Washington.

4.) The barcode for the specimens should face downward. The barcode for the egg masses should face upward so that one can easily see what "egg mass event" is in a given unit tray.

Excel Spreadsheet for Egg Mass and Parasitoid Data

File:TrissolcusBMSB field collections datasheet.xls

Key to relevant Platygastroid genera

File:Key To Platygastroid Parasitoids of Stink Bug Eggs.pdf