Authors:
Mouhamad Mansour, Ibrahim Ismaeil
Volume 30, Issue 1;
Pages: 1-7; 2024
ISSN: 2069-0053 (print), Agroprint;
ISSN (online): 2068-9551
The effects of gamma radiation on the Galleria mellonella L. late pupae were examined. About to emerge pupae were exposed to radiation dosages between 50 and 400 Gy and percentage adult emergence was recorded. Emerging moths were crossed to untreated insects of the opposite sex. Laid eggs were counted, incubated under a suitable temperature and examined one week later for egg hatch. Larvae resulting from the previous crosses (F1) were given the chance to continue their development to pupae and adults and the number of formed pupae and emerging adults was recorded. Results showed that adult emergence was not significantly affected. Fecundity of females was negatively affected and fertility of both sexes decreased with increasing irradiation dose. Furthermore, irradiation decreased survival rate of the progeny of irradiated insects and at 400 Gy, all F1 insects died before adult emergence. These results support a dose of 400 Gy as a disinfestations treatment against G. mellonella late pupae.