Some effects of gamma radiation on the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Col. Anobiidae)

• Main Author: Carandang, Jose Santos R., VI
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1984
• Subjects: Gamma rays > Physiological effect; Cigarette beetle > Control; Insect radiosterilization; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/1065; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7903&context=etd_masteral
• Institution: De La Salle University

The lethal and sterilizing effects of gamma radiation on the different metamorphic stages of L. serricorne were investigated. The test organisms were irradiated using a Co-60 gamma cell 220 irradiator with dose rates ranging from 173.4 to 194.2 kr/hr. The doses used were from 40 to 500 kr. Death was recorded if there was complete lack of response to tactile stimuli. Unhatched eggs were also considered dead. Mild etherization was used to induce the adults to extrude their genitalia so that their sex could be identified. Complete mortality within 24 hours was observed in the adults and pupae exposed to 400 kr, the larvae at 350 kr while no eggs hatched following exposure to 90 kr. No viable progeny was produced by adults exposed to 10 kr. The females were found to be more radiosensitive than the males. Although the great majority of the papers on L. serricorne concern infestation of tobacco, this species has probably the most varied taste in food of all stored product pests. Howe (1) reported about 40 infestations of plant materials ranging from dried crops to upholstery and books. It has also been noted as a herbarium pest (2). Otanes (3) and Metcalf et al. (4) wrote that it is the most important pest of tobacco in factories and cigar stores and causes considerable damage to other products as well.