Effects of gamma radiation on the sterility and behavioral quality of the caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) (Diptera:Tephritidae)

J.M.M Walder,C.O Calkins

doi:10.1590/s0103-90161993000200001

Abstract

Pupae of Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) were irradiated 2 days before adult eclosión in an air atmosphere with 15, 20, 25, 30, 50 and 70 Gy of gamma radiation (Co-60). The radiation effects on sterility and other parameters of quality and behavior of males and females of caribfly were established. Males became fully sterile with a dose of 50 Gy and females laid no eggs when exposed to 25 Gy. Radiation had no significant effect on adult eclosion, sex ratio, flight ability and irritability, but female mortality was affected significantly by radiation, showing higher survival rates in low dosage treatments. The mating behavior of the males was reduced significantly by increasing the radiation doses.

Highlights

The Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) (Diptera:Tephritidae), is a highly polyphagous pest in Florida, attacking more than 80 species of fruits in 23 families (SWANSON & BARANOWSKI, 1972)
The objective of this study was to determine the levels of sterility of male and female caribflies irradiated as pupae 2 days before eclosion, with different doses of radiation and to examine other parameters of quality and behavior
Irradiation of caribfly pupae at two days before eclosión resulted in 100 % sterility in males at a dose of 50 Gy

Summary

Introduction

The Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) (caribfly) (Diptera:Tephritidae), is a highly polyphagous pest in Florida, attacking more than 80 species of fruits in 23 families (SWANSON & BARANOWSKI, 1972). This fly was initially considered an urban pest rather than a commercial pest when it appeared in 1965 (WEEMS, 1966). In 1974, after an embargo by Japanese officials of a grapefruit shipment with caribfly larvae, A. suspensa became an important and economic quarantine pest (HORNYAK, 1976) This caused a quarantine against fresh Florida citrus bound for Arizona, California, Texas and Hawaii (CLARK & WEEMS, 1989). Export problems arose again after the U.S Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of ethylene dibromide (EDB) for fumigation of fresh fruit, grapefruit (ETHYLENE, 1983)

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