Application of gamma radiation for controlling the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The effect of gamma irradiation on different developmental stages of Tribolium castaneum Herbst and the doses required to prevent each of these developmental stages was investigated. The required dose to prevent larval emergence from irradiated 1-2 days old eggs was 150 Gray (Gy) and 100 Gy was required to prevent adult emergence from 15 day-old larvae. Also the dose of radiation required preventing adult emergence from irradiated 5 day-old pupa was 700 Gy. The dose of 200 Gy caused 100% mortality irradiated adults 28 days after treatment. There was a dose-dependent increase in the developmental periods of different developmental stages exposed to gamma irradiation. The growth index of the adult was significantly decreased with increasing dose of radiation administered to the eggs, larvae and pupae. A dose of 700 Gy is recommended to control population growth of T. castaneum within stored products.