This method was developed to determine that the numbers of E. formosa supplied in a shipment meet the package claim and that wasps at receipt have good flight capability. The application of this method will ensure a standardized evaluation of the product and judicious decisions about product compliance to the package claim.

This specification covers information on and the test method for determining the purity and number of adults released in shipments of Encarsia formosa Gahan (Order Hymenoptera; Family Aphelinidae), parasite of the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood. Because the efficacy of the biological control of greenhouse whitefly by E. formosa depends on accurate release numbers of adult species, accurate packaging and maintenance of purity and viability of E. formosa shipments is, therefore, essential for the effective management of the target pests. This specification is intended for use by the producers and end-users of the specified biological control agent.