Abstract
BackgroundIrradiation is accepted as a phytosanitary treatment for horticultural products by many countries. Irradiation is a potential alternative to chemical fumigation for wood products; however, data supporting its efficacy against potential forestry pests is limited.MethodsIrradiation efficacy data were obtained experimentally for Arhopalus ferus (Mulsant) and Hylurgus ligniperda (F.). The results are compared to existing ionising-radiation treatment data for various bark and wood-boring beetles species as found in the International Database on Insect Disinfestation and Sterilization (IDIDAS) and the published literature.ResultsExisting IDIDAS records suggest that the effective dose required to sterilise insects in the families Cerambycidae and Scolytinae is < 150 Gy. Estimated LD99 obtained here for the sterility of adult A. ferus were 44.1 Gy (LD99, ± 15.3, 95% CI) and eggs 40.4 Gy (± 9.8, 95% CI). Our results suggest that an effective sterilisation dose for A. ferus eggs will be from 20 to 40 Gy; however, LD99 dose estimates were not obtained for other life stages. Adult H. ligniperda were more tolerant of radiation with 1.6% of adults producing viable eggs at doses of between 100 and 150 Gy despite 100% sterility being recorded at 75 and 175 Gy.ConclusionsOur results are consistent with existing studies of other bark and wood-boring beetles. The doses tested here were equivalent to, or lower than, those used in previous studies. Arhopalusferus adults were less tolerant to ionising radiation than the published literature for other Cerambycidae. Further studies with adult H. ligniperda are recommended as 150 Gy represents the upper limit currently reported in IDIDAS for other Scolytinae. An assessment of the potential cost-effectiveness of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment at the range of doses identified in this study should be conducted before committing to further efficacy testing.
Highlights
Irradiation is accepted as a phytosanitary treatment for horticultural products by many countries
Further studies with adult H. ligniperda are recommended as 150 Gy represents the upper limit currently reported in International Database on Insect Disinfestation and Sterilization (IDIDAS) for other Scolytinae
We report the initial results of bioassays to determine the relative tolerance to irradiation treatment by the life stages of H. ligniperda and A. ferus and compare the doses required for controlling these two species with similar species found in the International Database on Insect Disinfestation and Sterilization (IDIDAS 2013) and other published literature
Summary
Irradiation is accepted as a phytosanitary treatment for horticultural products by many countries. The use of ionising radiation as a phytosanitary treatment for horticultural commodities is expanding worldwide, in part due to the acceptance of the treatment of produce on arrival in the USA (Bustos-Griffin et al 2015). Insecticidal sprays, heat treatment, and debarking, or a combination of several measures, are approved for use by various countries (Pawson et al 2014). Ionising radiation has been used to disinfest specific wooden artefacts (Fan et al 1988) and is an accepted phytosanitary treatment for bulk wooden commodities, e.g. logs and timber in Australia at 25,000 Gy (Anon 2016). Given its acceptance for other commodities, irradiation is a potential non-chemical alternative to the current phytosanitary treatments for wood products
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
