During collection and packing of shipments, guard against unwanted inclusions such as other plant or insect species (including
parasites/parasitoids), soil, seeds, etc. Numbers of insects per container obviously vary from case to case, but as a general rule low numbers per container are safer than high numbers.
If the container size restricts the number of adults to be sent per shipment, mated females are more valuable to send and release than males.
Safety and security of the shipment may be improved by attaching warning labels on containers and by providing handling and other information as required. Beware of press-fit lids and stoppers which may be dislodged by rough handling or by changes in air pressure.
Heat is perhaps the biggest danger to insects during shipment. If the shipment is not being hand-carried, or it will not always be under reliable supervision, provision of extra insulation for the agents may be necessary.
Consignments of agents sent to non-project personnel (who may not keep good records or provide feed-back information) can be accompanied by a consignment sheet for completion and return to the sender (an example of a consignment sheet follows in
Appendix 1.). Extra information should be provided with the consignment as appropriate, including handling and release protocols, instructions on providing extra food for trans-shipment or on changing packing material and safety warnings.
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Tony
Wright
