Role of ionizing radiation in the management of the Greater Wax Moth (Galleria mellonella L.): a comparative analysis of different types of ionizing radiation

Abstract

Galleria mellonella L., is an insect pest of the honey bee combs and causes huge economic losses worldwide. Its management heavily relies on the use of chemical pesticides. However, chemical pesticides have drawbacks, including the incidence of colony collapse disorder and the development of pesticide resistance. Ionizing radiation has the potential to treat infested bee combs without leaving chemical footprints, thereby increasing agricultural output in general and honey production in particular. In the current study, research on how the type, energy, and dose rate of ionizing radiation affect radiation-induced damage was done on the eggs and larvae of G. mellonella. It was observed that although larval mortality increases with electron beam energy, egg hatchability depends more on dose rate and less on the energy of gamma and x-ray radiation in the MeV range of energy. Additionally, a significant association between dose rate and larval mortality was seen. Doses of 179.40 Gy and 158.60 Gy, respectively, of 0.66 MeV gamma rays and 15 MeV electrons, were required to stop pupal development completely. Gamma radiation in the MeV range of energy was found to be the most suitable modality of all ionizing radiation.