Effect of Gamma Radiation on Biosteres longicaudatus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a Larval Parasitoid of Dacus dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae) (original) (raw)

Tupac of the oriental fruit lly, Ducus tlnnalis Hi-ndcl. which had been exposed as larvae to the parasiloid, Bimlnrs Itmpraudatia (Ashmead), were subjected to 10 krad gamma radiation in nitrogen atmosphere on the eleventh clay after parasili/alioii. The irradiation treatment caused sterility in the adult parasitoids of both sexes. Camilla irradiation slightly enhanced longevity ol treated females when compared with un treated parasitoids. However, longevity of treated males decreased significantly. The sterile insect and the augmentative parasitoid release techniques are two ecologically acceptable methods for the suppression of tephritid fruit fly populations in Hawaii (Wong et al. 1984). The integration of both suppression methods is proposed to be more effective and less costly than the use of either of these methods alone, or the use of insecticide sprays (E. F. Knipling, personal communication). During the laboratory rearing of tephritid fruit fly parasitoids, over 50% of the h...