Journal of Applied Entomology (2003) 127, 489-493

H. Makee and G. Saour (2003)
Noninherited sterility in irradiated Phthorimaea operculella females
Journal of Applied Entomology 127 (9-10), 489-493
Abstract: Newly emerged females of the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lep., Gelechiidae), were irradiated with various doses of gamma irradiation: 50, 100, 150 and 200 Gy. Inheritance of deleterious effects in the progeny of irradiated female parents was determined. Phthorimaea operculella females became completely sterile when they were exposed to 200 Gy. Therefore, inherited effects were examined in insects exposed to doses lower than 200 Gy. Developmental time and percentage mortality of F₁ progeny were higher than the control, regardless of the dose. The sex ratio of F₁ progeny was not distorted in favour of either male or female. When F₁ individuals were crossed with unirradiated adults, their mating success, number of matings and number of eggs were similar to those of their irradiated female parents, but lower than the control. In contrast, when F₁ males and females were mated together, the mating success, number of matings and number of eggs were lower than both their irradiated female parents and the control. The fertility of F₁ progeny was higher than that of their irradiated female parents, at all tested crosses. The results showed that the inherited sterility phenomenon did not occur in P. operculella females at the extent known from irradiated males. When the sterile insect technique is used against P. operculella, released females should be completely sterile to prevent any increase in the feral population.
(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): Hayat Makee

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.
	Phthorimaea operculella		Syria