Effect of gamma irradiation on mortality and sterility of the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum duv., reared on wheat and corn flour [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Studies were accomplished to select irradiation doses required to kill or to discontinue reproduction of F₁ progeny of T. confusum reared on wheat and com flour. Gamma irradiation was applied at five-dose levels ranging from 100-1200 Gy for mortality studies and at four dose levels between 50- 350 Gy for sterility studies. LT₅₀ and LD₅₀ values were determined, together with sterilizing dose levels (SD₅₀and SD₉₀). Data indicated that, the irradiation doses, time post irradiation, type of diet and sex of insect have a considerable role in the survival and radio sensitivity of adults and their F₁ progeny production. The irradiated male or female adults reared on wheat flour was more susceptible to killing or sterilizing by gamma radiation than those reared on com flour at almost of all irradiation doses or interval times post irradiation. Also, The irradiated male or female adults reared on wheat flour lived shorter time than those reared on com flour at nearly of all the irradiation doses. In addition, males reared on wheat or corn flour were less sensitive to killing by irradiation than females.

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