Abstract
The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an alternative, environmentally friendly method for controlling insect pests. In the Lepidoptera, a low dose of gamma irradiation causes inherited sterility (SIT-IS), leading to full sterility in females but only partial sterility in males, which successfully compete with wild males for mates. This study examined the effect of a low radiation dose (150 Gy) on the fitness parameters of male and female Lobesia botrana, a polyphagous and major pest of vineyards found in the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. RESULTS: Irradiation of the pupae did not affect their emergence rate, flight ability out of a cylinder, male response to sex pheromone in a field cage or male or female mating success. A major effect of irradiation was observed in the significantly reduced number of irradiated females' offspring reaching pupation, and as a consequence a limited number of F2 offspring. The effect of irradiation on male partial sterility (also called inherited sterility) was reflected in the male-biased sex ratio of F1 offspring of irradiated males, the reduced number of F1 offspring and the very low number of F2 descendants. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of controlling L. botrana using SIT-IS. Adding this method to the arsenal of environmentally friendly tools to control this pest may assist in further reducing the use of insecticides on edible crops.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 24-31 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Pest Management Science |
Volume | 71 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jan 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2014 Society of Chemical Industry.
Keywords
- Control
- Fecundity
- Fitness
- Irradiation
- Lepidoptera
- SIT-IS
- Sterile insect technique
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- Insect Science