Radiation biology of a serious tropical pigeon pea pest, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and potential of radiation mediated ‘inherited (F₁) sterility technique’ for the pest suppression

Studies on Effect of Gamma Radiation on Biological Parameters and Male Sterility in Parental and F1 Generation of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)

“…Comparatively high number of males were formed at radiation doses ranging from 100 to 200 Gy with female to male sex ratio of 1:1.12 -1:1.21. These results were similar with the reports of Seth et al (2020) in Maruca vitrata, that female to male sex ratio at 100, 150 and 200 Gy was 0.79:1, 0.71:1 and 0.58:1, respectively. Whereas in unirradiated control female to male sex ratio was 1.03:1.…”

“…Pupal recovery was drastically affected at radiation doses ranged between 150 Gy (30.00%) to 200 Gy (15.27%). The present findings were inclined with the reports of Seth et al (2020), in Maruca vitrata who found that percentage of pupal formation was decreased to 14.70% compared to 68.00% at 100 Gy. Pupal recovery of unirradiated control was 74.00%.…”

“…The longevity of adults decreased as radiation dose increased. The present results on effect of gamma radiation on adult longevity and survival of FAW are on par with Seth et al (2020) who reported that, longevity of irradiated males was sharply declined with increase in radiation doses from 150 to 250 Gy in Maruca vitrata. Similarly, Pransopon, Sutantawong, & Hormchan (2000) also found that higher doses of gamma radiation (150 Gy) significantly reduced the longevity of irradiated males from 13.35 days (Control) to 9.45 days (150 Gy) in H. armigera.…”

“…Sterile males must live for at least 6 days to meet the pre-mating period 2 days and mating period of 4 days, which allows the sterile males to copulate with wild females to induce sterility in wild population of target insect. Current findings are on par with the reports of Seth et al (2020), in Maruca vitrata who found that radiation dose, 100 Gy had not negative impact on longevity of F 1 adults (7.28 days). But radiation dose, 200 Gy has reduced the longevity by 3.65 days compared to 100 Gy.…”

“…These results are corrobarated with earlier reports by Hasaballa, Ahmed, & Rizk (1985) in Spodoptera littoralis and reported that increasing doses of gamma radiation increased the percentage of deformation and complete lethality was observed at 350 and 400 Gy. The current findings are inclined with Seth et al (2020) who found that adult emergence of Maruca vitrata was severely affected at 150 and 200 Gy. No emergence of adult at 250 Gy.…”