Annals of Applied Biology (2003) 143, 395-399

R.G. Hollingsworth, P.A. Follett and J.W. Armstrong (2003)
Effects of irradiation on the reproductive ability of Zonitoides arboreus, a snail pest of orchid roots
Annals of Applied Biology 143 (3), 395-399
Abstract: The effect of irradiation on the reproductive ability of the orchid snail, Zonitoides arboreus, a serious pest of potted orchids in Hawaii, was investigated. Weekly egg production averaged between 0.8 and 1.9 over a 9-wk period for snails not exposed to irradiation, and egg hatch averaged 61%. In comparison to untreated controls, irradiation of snails at the lowest dose tested (34-37 Gy) reduced egg production and egg hatch by 63% and 94%, respectively over a 9-wk period. None of the snails treated with levels of irradiation > 69 Gy produced viable eggs. This is the first study measuring the effect of ionising irradiation on a terrestrial snail or slug species using sterilising doses. Overall, the results show that the reproductive ability of this snail species is affected by irradiation in a similar manner as for Biomphalaria glabrata, an aquatic snail for which the effects of irradiation have been studied in detail.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Robert G. Hollingsworth, Peter A. Follett, John W. Armstrong

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Zonitoides arboreus		U.S.A. (Hawaii)