Radiation sensitivity of twelve species of arthropods.

Abstract

Eleven species of insects and 1 species of isopod were exposed to gamma radiation from cobalt-60 with total doses ranging from 1 to 512 kiloroentgens (kr) in 100% increments. Insects were irradiated and maintained under comparable conditions at 28°C. Mean and median life expectancy were estimated for each dose level. Life expectancy was significantly lowered for all species by exposure to 8 kr or more. Most species were affected by 4 kr. Exposure to 1 or 2 kr generally had no effects. Of the species tested the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.), was the most sensitive to radiation; the black carpet beetle, Attagenus piceus (Olivier) was the least sensitive. Correlations between radiation sensitivity and taxonomic grouping were poor. However, within insect orders size appeared to be a good basis for estimating mortality response to irradiation. Large species were found to be more sensitive to irradiation than smaller species.