Effect of Male Irradiation and its Mating Status on the Remating Propensity, Insemination Quality and Reproductive Behaviour of Male <i>Spodoptera litura</i> (F.)

Abstract

In this study various factors, viz., male irradiation, its mating status and post mating interval were studied on the remating propensity, insemination quality and reproductive behaviour of a noctuid pest Spodoptera litura (F.) that may govern the efficacy of radiation mediated inherited sterility (IS) technique proposed to control this pest. The male irradiation (substerilizing 130 Gy and sterilizing 250 Gy) affected the copulation duration, mating success and sperm transfer during mating. Multiple matings of male significantly depleted the sperm in fully sterile male followed by substerile male than control. During remating with virgin female, the reproductive performance of mated irradiated male, was more affected at 24 hr than at 48 hr inter mating interval, which might be due to associated physiological impact on mating behaviour and insemination quality. This study might be crucial in simulation modelling and optimization of successful implementation of IS programme.