Evaluation of the efficiency of treatments with ionizing irradiation for control of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wied., 1824) (Diptera: Tephritidae).
Suplicy Filho N., Calza R., Paiva J. A. A., Glória M. B., Oliveria D. A., Raga A.
Author Affiliation: Divisão de Parasitologia Vegetal, Instituto Biológico, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Arquivos do Instituto Biológico (São Paulo) 54 : 49-55
Abstract : Studies were carried out in the laboratory at 24±2°C and 75% RH to evaluate the effectiveness of cobalt ionizing irradiation at dosages of 10-40 krad against Ceratitis capitata attacking mangoes, papayas [pawpaws] and persimmons. Fruits were naturally and artificially infested with eggs, larvae, pupae and adults of the pest. The results showed that pawpaws must be treated while their skin is still green. Dosages of 38.9 to 40.0 krad gave effective control of adults and eggs, but were ineffective against last-instar larvae. Only 4 larvae reached the adult stage and these were unviable. It was concluded that pupae were the most susceptible stage to cobalt ionizing irradiation, with 100% mortality after treatments with 15 krad, followed by the eggs, while the last-instar larva was the most resistant stage. The data obtained for mangoes were not considered in the study because control insects died, probably because of the deterrent effects of mangoes which are not naturally attacked by the tephritid.