Abstract
The overwintering adult of Ooencyrtus kuwanai (How.) is susceptible to freezing. Male adults from New Jersey have a mean supercooling point of −9.6 ± 0.37°C, significantly higher than those from Maine (−12.3 ± 1.08°). Neither group had its cold hardiness increased by exposure to sublethal temperatures. Female adults from New Jersey had a mean supercooling point of −10.8 ± 0.69° when tested after rearing at 22°C, again significantly higher than that of similarly treated female adults from Maine (−15.4 ± 0.90°). Exposure of New Jersey females to sublethal temperatures decreased their supercooling point significantly, to −14.5 ± 1.59°. Maine female adults were not tested after that treatment. No adults survived continuous exposure to 0°C for 30 days. Hence this parasite is apparently incapable of surviving in the current range of the gypsy moth in Canada.