Hawaiian Fruit Flies in Papaya, Bell Pepper, and Eggplant: Quarantine Treatment with Gamma Irradiation134

Abstract

Minimum doses of γ-radiation of 20.9, 21.4, 24.6, 25.2, and 29.1 krad in papaya, bell pepper, or eggplant for thicknesses of 1.47, 1.73-1.87, 2.18, 2.81, and 3.14 g/cm2, respectively, prevented emergence of the adult oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel; melon fly, D. cucurbitae Coquillett; and Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). The irradiated population developed to 3rd-stage larvae, but the number of larvae was reduced significantly by refrigeration at ca. 7.2°C. Two-day-old or 12-day-old adult oriental fruit flies that were irradiated with minimum doses were sterile for longer than one month.