Limited survival of Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 in bulk soils and composts from Egypt

Survival of Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 (phylotype II sequevar 1) in Egyptian soils and compost was studied under laboratory and field conditions. Survival of the pathogen under laboratory conditions varied with temperature, water potential and soil type, with temperature being the major determinant of survival of the pathogen. The effects of temperature and moisture content were variable between different experiments, but survival was generally longer at 15°C than at 4, 28 and 35°C respectively. Survival was also longer when moisture levels were constant compared with varying moisture levels at all temperatures. In experiments to compare the effects of progressive drying in sandy and clay soils there was a difference in survival times between the two soil types. In sandy soils, the pathogen died out more rapidly when soil was allowed to dry out than in controls where the soil was kept at constant water potential. In clay soils there was little difference between the two treatments, possibly due to the formation of a hard impermeable outer layer during the drying process, which retarded water loss from within. Survival in mature composts at 15°C was of the same order of magnitude as in soils but shorter at 28°C, possibly owing to increased biological activity at this temperature, or a resumption of the composting process, with concomitant higher temperatures within the compost itself. The maximum survival time recorded over all soil types and conditions during in vitro studies was around 200 days. In field studies, the maximum survival time in both bare sand and clay was around 85 days at depths up to 50 cm. The survival time was reduced in field experiments carried out in summer to less than 40 days and in one study when the ground was flooded for rice cultivation, the bacterium could not be detected 14 days after flooding. The maximum survival time of R. solanacearum in infected plant material or in infested soil samples incorporated into compost heaps was less than 2 weeks. At the culmination of field soil and compost experiments, no infection was detected in tomato seedlings up to 10 weeks after transplanting into the same soils or composts under glasshouse conditions at a temperature of 25°C.     

Effect of cold-water irrigation on bacterial wilt pathogen of tomato

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most devastating bacterial diseases of plants worldwide. Management of bacterial wilt in tomato and other crops has been difficult, and so novel but easily implemented control methods are being sought. To evaluate the effect of cold-water irrigation on bacterial wilt of tomato, four treatments were used in which CF (chemically fertilized) soil and CF + FYM (chemical fertilizer + farmyard manure [FYM]) soil were inoculated with a bacterial suspension (R. solanacearum strain YU1Rif43) at 10⁶ colony forming units (CFU) g^?1 soil. Tomato seedlings were grown in Agri-pots in a plant growth chamber. The soil was irrigated with water that was kept at the same temperature in each treatment: 4, 10, 20, or 30°C. Incidence and severity of wilt, counting of the colonies of the culturable population of pathogen, and dry-mass and height of the plants were examined. After 45 days and in both kinds of soil, most of the plants had wilted in soil irrigated at 30°C. Wilt incidence was substantially reduced when transplanted seedlings were irrigated at lower temperatures (4–20°C). Survival of R. solanacearum was also reduced after being irrigated with water at lower temperatures, indicating that the reduced incidence of wilt was linked to reduced survival of the pathogen. Dry-mass and plant height were slightly higher under control conditions than in soils irrigated at lower temperatures. This study suggests that cold-water irrigation could significantly reduce bacterial wilt of tomato and have an adverse effect on survival of the wilt pathogen.     

Überleben von Ralstonia solanacearum Biovar 2 (Rasse 3), dem Erreger der Schleimkrankheit der Kartoffel, in Boden und auf verschiedenen Materialien (Mikrokosmos)

Microcosm studies were carried out to test the survival of Ralstonia solanacearum biovar 2 (race 3) in soil at the permanent wilting point (wp) water content and at field capacity (fc) water content and on various material. Soils were placed at permanent ?5°C, 4°C, 15°C and 20°C and weekly fluctuating ?10/0/+10°C and the material at 5, 15 °C, 20°C with relative humidity (rh) uncontrolled or at constant 10% or 90%. In soil, survival was clearly dependent on temperature independent of water content. At 20°C Ralstonia solanacearum could be reisolated up to 364 days, at 15°C up to 290 days, at 4°C up to 209 days and at fluctuating temperatures (?10/0/+10°C) only up to 18 days. The lower the temperature, the more the population declined. At 15°C and 20°C appr. 10⁷ cfu/g soil were detected after 100 days, whereas at ?5°C only 10² cfu/g soil were detected after only 18 days. The pathogen was longer detectable in sandy-clay loam than in lighter sandy soil. It could be longer reisolated at wilting point and the populations did not decline as rapidly as at field capacity. Ralstonia solanacearum could best survive on material surfaces like rubber, plastic and varnished metal with maximum survival of 40 days at 5°C and 10% rh. In general there is a low risk of Ralstonia solanacearum overwintering under European climatic conditions when the fields are cleared of plant debris and the soil is frozen. Contamined material surfaces pose the risk of pathogen transmission to healthy tubers.     

Effects of sanitation processes on survival of Synchytrium endobioticum and Globodera rostochiensis

The two quarantine pests Synchytrium endobioticum, the causal agent of potato wart disease and Globodera rostochiensis, the yellow potato cyst nematode are currently present in Germany. Winter sporangia of Synchytrium endobioticum and cysts of Globodera rostochiensis can be spread with waste from potato processing industries, if infected tubers are processed. The German Biowaste Ordinance prescribes sanitation of organic waste before it can be used on arable land as fertilizer or filling material. Sanitation parameters prescribed by the German Biowaste Ordinance include composting for 7 days at 65°C or 14 days at 55°C or pasteurisation for 60 min at 70°C. The effect of composting and pasteurisation processes on winter sporangia of Synchytrium endobioticum and cysts of Globodera rostochiensis was tested with varying time-temperature relations. Cysts of Globodera rostochiensis were killed by composting for 7 days at 50–55°C and by pasteurisation for 30 min at 70°C. In contrast, viable winter sporangia of Synchytrium endobioticum could be extracted from sample material after composting for 70 days at 30–45°C, composting for 21 days at 50–55°C and after composting for 12 days at 60–65°C. Likewise viable winter sporangia could be extracted after pasteurisation for 90 min at 70°C and heating in a water bath at 80°C and in a dry oven at 90°C for 8 h. The parameters prescribed in the German Biowaste Ordinance are sufficient to kill cysts of Globodera rostochiensis but not sufficient to kill winter sporangia of Synchytrium endobioticum in organic waste.     

Verbreitung der Bakteriellen Ringfäule der Kartoffel (Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus) durch kontaminierte Lagerkisten

In field trials performed by the Institute for Plant Protection of the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (LfL) in Freising in 2001 and 2002, it was studied, whether Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus (Cms), the bacterial ring rot pathogen of potato, could be transmitted to seed potatoes by the use of contaminated crates. Healthy seed tubers were brought into contact with Cms before planting by (i) storage in freshly contaminated crates at 8°C for 4 weeks, (ii) storage at unregulated cellar temperature (between 1 and 15°C) for 8 months in crates, which were already contaminated and empty at filling time for 5 months and (iii) storage in freshly contaminated crates at 4°C for 5 months. Infections of stems and tubers of the plants were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody staining (IFAS). Storage of healthy tubers in contaminated crates produced infected plants in all three treatments: PCR results of the tubers were positive in 2 (ii) to 9% (i) of the plants.     

Inactivation of Phytophthora and bacterial species in water by a potential energy-saving heat treatment

Plant pathogens, especially Phytophthora and bacterial species, in re-circulated irrigation water present a significant health risk to nursery and greenhouse crops. Heat treatment at 95°C for 30?s is one of the most reliable technologies for irrigation water decontamination. The primary objective here was to examine whether the water temperature required to inactivate major pathogens in re-circulated irrigation water can be lowered from 95°C to conserve energy and improve horticultural profitability while reducing environmental footprint. Specifically, we investigated the effect of water temperature on Phytophthora nicotianae zoospore survival in the laboratory and on annual vinca under greenhouse conditions. We also assessed the effect of water temperature on survival of chlamydospores of P. nicotianae, oospores of P. pini, six plant pathogenic bacterial species and Escherichia coli. The zoospores of P. nicotianae did not survive and cause any disease on annual vinca when exposed to 42°C for 12?h or 48°C for 6?h. No chlamydospores of P. nicotianae survived 42°C for 24?h or 48°C for 6?h, nor did the oospores of P. pini at 42°C for 12?h or 48°C for 6?h. In addition, none of the seven bacterial species survived 48°C for 24?h. These results indicate that the required water temperature to eliminate Phytophthora and bacterial species may be lowered substantially from 95°C by longer exposure time, improving the economics and environmental footprint, without sacrificing efficacy of heat treatment.     

Anastomosis groups and pathogenicity of binucleate Rhizoctonia isolates associated with stem canker of potato in China

Potato stem canker caused by Rhizoctonia solani commonly occurs in potato-growing regions around the world, but little is known about whether binucleate Rhizoctonia (BNR) can incite this disease on potato plants in China. In the present study, a total of 69 BNR isolates were recovered from cankered subterraneous stems of potato collected from 17 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities of China. Based on the morphological characteristics and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacers of the ribosomal DNA, 48 isolates were classified as anastomosis group (AG)-A with a ratio of 69.56 %, 15 isolates (21.74 %) were AG-K, four isolates (5.80 %) were AG-F, one isolate (1.45 %) was AG-I and one isolate (1.45 %) was AG-U. Pathogenicity tests under glasshouse conditions revealed that all BNR isolates, except for the AG-I isolate, could induce symptoms of stem canker on potato plants with disease incidence ranging from 5.26 to 55.56 % and disease index ranging from 1.32 to 13.89, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed report about BNR AGs causing stem canker on potato plants in China.     

Risk of dissemination of Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus with potato waste

To estimate the risk of dissemination of Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus through potato residues from processing industries, the various processes and the usage of residues from plants from different processing branches were analysed with regard to the effect they can have on the pathogen. The residues were classified into different risk categories, from category 0 (no risk of dissemination) to category 4 (high risk of dissemination). Residues not heated during processing and used in agriculture, e.g., as fertilizer, were pooled in the highest risk category 4. Residues that were sanitised before use in agriculture, e.g., by composting or pasteurisation, were still classified as probably high risk (risk category 3), as no information on these treatments concerning the inactivation of the pathogen was available so far. Therefore the effect of composting and pasteurisation under varying conditions was tested on samples (ready-made compost mould) contaminated with Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus. Viable bacteria could be extracted after all experiments via bioassay on eggplants, and cultivated on semi-selective media from plant sap forming characteristic colonies. The viable pathogen could be extracted after composting for 6 days at maximum temperatures at 70 °C, 13 days at 55 °C and 90 min pasteurisation at 70 °C. It can be concluded that these sanitation treatments are not sufficient to inactivate Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus and the previous classification of treated residues in category 3 (probably high risk) could thus be confirmed.     

Effect of high temperatures on survival and longevity of the predator Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant

The effect of high temperature on survival and longevity of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) female adults was studied in the laboratory by daily exposure of the beetles to 35°C (mean r.h. 52%) combined with 1-, 2- and 3-h intervals of thermal treatment at 38, 40, 42 and 44°C (r.h. 46–48%). Fifty percent of females survived until the 12th–13th day of the thermal treatment at 38°C (depending on the exposure time), the 2nd–10th day at 40°C for 1–2 h exposure and the 4th–5th day at 42°C for 1 h exposure. Survival was 25–38% on the 1st–2nd day of the thermal treatment at 40, 42 and 44°C for 3, 2 and 1 h of exposure, respectively. Three hours of exposure of female C. montrouzieri at 42°C and 2 h exposure at 44°C were lethal for the beetles. Mean longevity of the predator was 33.13?±?1.22 days at 35°C and was significantly shorter as the temperature of the thermal treatments increased from 38^o to 44°C. These results suggest that daily temperature regimes of 35°C combined with 38–40°C for 1–3 h are marginal for the survival and longevity of the C. montrouzieri, whereas temperatures above 42°C are lethal even at short exposure. These results can partly justify the inability of C. montrouzieri to be permanently established in Pakistan environments and could contribute to a pre-evaluation assay of its potential adaptability in such environmental systems.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fibulorhizoctonia psychrophila</Emphasis> is the causal agent of lenticel spot on apple and pear fruit in the Netherlands

In a survey for postharvest diseases of apples and pears in the Netherlands, an unknown postharvest fruit rot was observed. The disease appeared to originate from infected lenticels. A fungus was consistently isolated from the decayed fruits. The fungal pathogen was isolated on potato dextrose agar, and at low temperatures development of a fast-growing whitish mycelium was observed. Growth of this fungus was observed between 1 and 20 °C with an optimum at 15 °C, while incubation of mycelium at 25 °C resulted in no growth. The isolates did not produce asexual or sexual spores. The isolates were characterized and identified by morphology and molecular phylogenetic analysis. Genomic DNA was isolated and amplified using ITS1-ITS4, EF1 and RPB2 primers, and BLAST searches in GenBank placed the fungus taxonomically in the genus Fibulorhizoctonia, with the highest matches to F. psychrophila. Pathogenicity of representative isolates from apple and pear fruit was confirmed under laboratory conditions. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of F. psychrophila causing lenticel spot on apple and pear, and also the cause of a whitish mould on storage bins.     

基于方法集和DEA模型的黑龙江省灌溉用水效率评价

为了讨论方法集模型对于灌区用水效率综合评价的可行性,以DEA模型作为对比参照,选取了渠系和田间两方面指标,对黑龙江省20个灌区用水效率进行排序和计算,得出的主要结论:利用方法集模型评价的20个灌区的排序结果均通过Spearman检验,解决了不同评价方法结果不一致的问题,且与DEA模型得出的排序结果一致;通过方法集模型和DEA模型结果可以看出:富裕、永发、安邦河、龙头桥和石龙灌区效率值较低,分别是0.58、0.55、0.54、0.51、0.45,且20个灌区灌溉用水效率与渠系效率平均关联度为1.779,与田间效率平均关联度为1.229,受渠系水利用效率影响较大,受田间水效率影响较小,可采取渠道衬砌,合理规划渠系布局等方式减少渠道输配水环节的灌溉水损失,采取控制灌溉技术,喷、滴灌溉等节水措施,提高灌溉用水效率。     

Potential distribution of citrus black spot in the United States based on climatic conditions

Citrus black spot (CBS), caused by Phyllosticta citricarpa McAlp Van der Aa, was recently detected in southern Florida in the US. In addition to infected plant propagation materials, movement of infected citrus fruit poses a concern for potential spread of the disease out of the current quarantine zone, because lesions with pycnidia and conidia could develop after harvest. The conditions conducive for mycelial growth and development of pycnidia and conidia are not well known. Therefore, effects of temperature and relative humidity on growth and conidial production of P. citricarpa were determined and used as parameter inputs in CLIMEX to predict potential establishment of CBS in North America. Colony growth and conidial production in vitro were optimal at 27 °C, whereas there was no growth below 4 °C and above 37 °C. On fruit, lesion development and conidial production were observed at 4 °C, though at a low rate, indicating a greater versatility of the fungus on fruit. More full pycnidia were produced on the CBS lesions at 91 % RH compared to 84 %. Input parameters for CBS risk in CLIMEX obtained from literature, which reflected conditions for infection in spring/summer in Florida, predicted potential establishment in Florida but not in California. However, altering the parameter values to account for survival of the pathogen in leaf litter in winter predicted potential establishment in California as well as Florida. Thus, P. citricarpa could possibly establish beyond Florida if this organism is transported outside of the current quarantine zone to other citrus production areas.     

Ralstonia solanacearum Biovar 2/Rasse 3 (Erreger der Schleimkrankheit der Kartoffel) in Oberflächengewässern und Solanum dulcamara – Ergebnisse eines mehrjährigen Monitorings in Bayern

The potato brown rot, caused by the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum biovar 2/race 3 (potato race) was classified as quarantine pathogen by the European Union (EU) due to the risks it would pose for the cultivation of potatoes and tomatoes. Quarantine regulations stipulate control surveys and tests on potatoes used as seed, for food as well as industrial purposes and in surface water to check for contamination with R. solanacearum. Toward this end, the Institute for Plant Protection of the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture has been conducting an intensive survey for the presence of the potato brown rot pathogen in Bavarian rivers since 1997. An important component of this monitoring is the testing of potential weed hosts growing near river banks. Every year, from June to September, water- and plant samples have been collected from rivers in potato cultivation areas and near potato processing plants. Since the start of the survey, a total of 70 rivers has been tested. The presence of the pathogen was checked by immunofluorescence antibody staining (IFAS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Positive IFAS or PCR tests were checked again by biotests and pathogenicity tests on eggplant (Solanum melongena). So far R. solanacearum could be found in nine Bavarian rivers. Concerning wild plants growing near the river banks the bacterium could be isolated only from roots of the bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara). However, from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), nodding beggartick (Bidens cernua), black nightshade (Solanum nigrum), great yellowcress (Rorippa amphibia) and gipsywort (Lycopus europaeus) R. solanacearum could not be isolated. In contaminated rivers, with S. dulcamara growing on the river banks, R. solanacearum could be detected repetitively for several years. In 1997 it was found that rivers can be contaminated by the pathogen, if insufficiently treated sewage from potato processing plants is released into waterways. Potato cultivation is threatened by surface water only, if contaminated water is used to irrigate potato fields. Consequently, surface water should never be used for irrigation of potato fields or application of plant protection products.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</Emphasis>: a new potential biocontrol agent of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ralstonia solanacearum</Emphasis>, causal agent of potato brown rot

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was isolated from the rhizosphere of eggplant in the Nile Delta of Egypt, and its antagonistic potential against Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2, the causal agent of potato brown rot, was in vitro evaluated on KB agar medium and in vivo on potato plants. In vitro, four isolates of S. maltophilia (PD3531, PD3532, PD3533, and PD3534) appeared antagonistic. The isolate (PD3533) was screened as the most promising antagonist for the in vivo tests. In the greenhouse, the antagonist was applied directly to soil or by bacterization of potato eyepieces. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia significantly suppressed potato brown rot in Egyptian clay soil but not in Dutch clay soil. Survival of a rifampicin and chloramphenicol-resistant S. maltophilia strain PD4560 was investigated in two pairs of clay soils, conventionally and organically managed, from Egypt and the Netherlands. The survival of S. maltophilia was significantly less in Dutch than in Egyptian soils, while the converse occurred for R. solanacearum. These results are in agreement with those obtained in the in vivo biocontrol tests. In conclusion, S. maltophilia may be useful for control of brown rot in the area where it was originally isolated, the Nile Delta in Egypt.     

Mottle necrosis of sweet potato caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pythium scleroteichum</Emphasis> in Japan and varietal difference in susceptibility to the disease

Severe mottle necrosis (Shirogusare-byo in Japanese) was found on mature tubers of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) in Ibaraki Prefecture in October 2004. The causal organism was identified as Pythium scleroteichum hitherto unknown in Japan. Sweet potato cultivar Purple Sweet Lord was more susceptible than cultivars Beniazuma, Benimasari, Koukei-14, and Tamayutaka to the pathogen at 25°C, while this difference in the susceptibility was not clear at 15°C.     

基于双层粒子群算法的下级渠道流量不等时渠系优化配水

以黑河中游张掖市甘州区盈科灌区盈四支一分支为研究对象,在现有渠道优化配水模型基础上,针对下级渠道配水流量不相等的情况,对渠系优化配水工作进行研究。选择以渠道输水损失最小与轮灌组间引水持续时间差异值最小建立多目标优化配水模型,以下级渠道出水口的开关状态与实际流量为决策变量,采用双层粒子群算法求解最优轮灌组合。成功构建了下级渠道不等时的渠系优化配水模型,采用双层粒子群算法求得的结果表明,轮灌组划分合理,下级渠系流量变化范围在其设计流量的[74.3%~77.6%],上级渠系流量变化平稳,最大配水时间113.4 h,其结果低于人工制定的168 h原配水计划。各渠道流量在其允许的范围内变化,渠系优化配水过程与配水时间组合合理,上级渠道配水流量均匀,避免了上级渠系流量突然变化与减少对下级渠系的影响,不仅减少了渠道弃水,同时使各个轮灌组同一时间关闭,有效减少了闸门调节次数,为灌区管理部门制定配水计划提供决策。     

Wilt and root rot of poinsettia caused by three high-temperature-tolerant Pythium species in ebb-and-flow irrigation systems

Poinsettia plants growing in ebb-and-flow irrigation systems developed wilting and root rot during the summer growing seasons of 2010 in Gifu Prefecture and 2011 in Aichi Prefecture. Pythium species were isolated from roots with rot symptoms. The isolates were identified as P. helicoides and P. myriotylum on the basis of morphological characteristics and sequence homologies in the rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions. In pathogenicity tests, these isolates caused severe wilting and root rot. This is the first report of poinsettia root rot disease caused by P. helicoides and P. myriotylum, although P. aphanidermatum was reported as a pathogen of poinsettia root rot. To better understand these diseases, we performed an epidemiological study of three high-temperature-tolerant Pythium species, P. aphanidermatum, P. helicoides and P. myriotylum. Disease incidence as a percentage of diseased plants was greatest at 35 °C for all three species. Disease severity using the rating scale of root rot was also highest at 35 °C, particularly with high zoospore inoculum densities (100.0 zoospores/mL). Although the disease incidence and severity were reduced at lower temperatures, the three Pythium species were able to cause disease at temperatures as low as 20 °C.     

Potato wart disease survey in Turkey

Synchytrium endobioticum was first detected in Turkey in 2003, in two areas remote from each other: two potato fields at Ordu and Giresun in the Black Sea region and adjacent potato fields at Nevşehir and Niğde in Central Anatolia. After an extensive survey carried out in the whole potato-growing areas of Turkey, the disease was found only in these places. The disease was present in areas of 1999.7, 54.2, 9.2 and 1.5 ha in Nevşehir, Niğde, Ordu and Giresun provinces respectively in 2004. This comprises 1.8% of the total potato-growing area.     

Characterisation of pectobacterium wasabiae causing blackleg and soft rot diseases in South Africa

Pectolytic bacteria were isolated from potato tubers and stems showing tuber soft rot and blackleg symptoms. Approximately half (52 %) of the isolates could grow at both 27 and 37 °C while another half (48 %) failed to grow at 37 °C. All isolates could be amplified with primers specific to the pectate lyase (pel) gene. Carbon utilisation profiles could not conclusively identify these isolates. PCR amplification using primers specific for Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis was positive for all isolates that grew at 37 °C. However, the group that did not grow at 37 °C failed to amplify with P. atrosepticum specific primers. To characterise this group of isolates, the intergenic transcribed spacer region (ITS) was amplified and PCR products digested with two restriction enzymes (RsaI and CfoI) to generate ITS-PCR-RFLP profiles. The profiles of these new isolates were compared to those of the type strains of other pectolytic bacteria. Profiles of five of the selected atypical strains generated with the enzyme CfoI appeared to be most similar to those of P. wasabiae type strain. Phylogenetic analysis using concatenated partial gene sequences of housekeeping genes mdh and gapA clustered these isolates together with those of P. wasabiae reference strains thus confirming their identity. These strains were virulent on potato tubers and stems but did not elicit hypersensitive response on tobacco plants. This is the first report of P. wasabiae causing soft rot and blackleg of potatoes in South Africa.     

Investigation on the storage possibilities of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhyzobius lophantae</Emphasis> Blaisdell (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) at different temperatures and periods

Storage of natural enemies at low temperatures has an important role in biological control programs. It is an very critical factor that the stored individuals is used without losing their characters such as longevity, survival, fecundity, etc. In this study, the storage possibilities of Rhyzobius lophantae Blaisdell (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) adults under low temperatures (4 °C and 12 °C) for four different periods (10, 20, 30 and 40 days) were investigated. The survival rates and life span of adults (male and female), daily and total egg numbers laid by females stored at 4 °C and 12 °C for 10, 20, 30 and 40 days were determined. The survival rates of adults stored at 4 °C for 10 and 20 days were found to be 94.54% and 58.02% respectively. However, no adults stored at 4 °C for 30 and 40 days were observed to survive. The highest survival rate was 88% for the adults stored at 12 °C for 10 days. The average daily laid egg numbers were 12.51 and 9.37, and total egg numbers were 850.30 and 738.30 of adults stored at 4 °C for 10 and 20 days, respectively. The decrease in daily and total egg numbers of females stored at 12 °C was observed with increasing storage period. There was no significant difference in longevities of male and female stored at 4 °C and 12 °C. These results show that short-term storage at low temperatures does not affect certain properties of the predator when compared to 12 °C and storage periods.