Feasibility of using the radiation-based sterile insect technique (SIT) to control the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae Gmelin (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Iran

Abstract

Bactrocera oleae is one of the most hazardous pests threatening olive orchards in Iran. SIT is an environment-friendly system of pest control based on releasing sterile males able to compete with wild males to mate with wild females. To determine sterile doses of radiation, pupae were irradiated to the doses of 0–160 Gy. Doses of 90–100 Gy were found optimal providing the necessary sterilization without severely impairing the competitiveness of the irradiated males in mating.