Irradiation conditions affect the quality of irradiated painted apple moth

Abstract

Sterile painted apple moths have been released in Auckland in an attempt to assist with the eradication of this species from New Zealand Quality as measured by wind tunnel flight performance of irradiated insects decreased from 66 of unirradiated males in 20032004 to approximately 43 in 20052006 and recapture rates were lower A decrease in quality measures (ie emergence rate wind tunnel flight performance and recapture rate) was related to an increase in the length of pre and posttreatment time that the insects were held in the irradiation container potentially caused by container conditions Altering the irradiation container conditions to improve aeration led to an increase in posttreatment quality The surveillance grid in place for monitoring caught the sterile moths Higher recapture rates have increased confidence in the effectiveness of the sterile insect technique against this insect which is continuing in southeastern Auckland