Gamma irradiation of the carob or date moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae: dose–response effects on egg hatch, fecundity, and survival

The dose–response effects of gamma radiation on the carob or date moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were studied as a basic requirement for the initiation of an SIT/F1 sterility program. In this study, the effect of gamma radiation was determined on fecundity, egg hatch, longevity, and level of inherited sterility in the carob moth. Newly emerged virgin male and female carob moth adults were exposed to increasing irradiation doses (100, 150, 200, 250, 300, and 350 Gy) to determine the effective dose of gamma rays capable of sterilizing male and female adults of the carob moth. Parental fecundity and longevity was affected by increasing irradiation dose. The results indicated that a dose of 350 Gy could completely sterilize carob moth males. No larvae hatched from eggs deposited by 300 Gy irradiated females. The data indicate that 300 Gy was the fully sterilizing dose for female and sub-sterilizing dose for male carob moth. Radiation-induced deleterious inherited effects in offspring from irradiated males and females were expressed as reduction in fecundity, egg hatch, longevity, and decreased adult emergence over subsequent generations.