Standardization of sterile insect technique (SIT) for melon fruit fly

Sterile technique was standardized for melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae Coquillett under laboratory conditions. The Adult emergence of B. cucurbitae was significantly highest (96.12%) without radiation to the pupae. Among different radiation doses, 30 Gy resulted in significantly the highest adult emergence (64.12%). Significantly the highest deformed adults were observed at 90 Gy (10.61%) while, it was lowest without radiation (1.33%). When mature pupae were exposed to 30, 50, 70 and 90 Gy the male longevity was 32.37, 26.55, 24.57 and 20.63 days, respectively, as against 34.98 days for untreated males. At 90 Gy mating competitive values recorded was 5.66 and 8.29 with a treated male: Untreated male: Untreated female cross ratio of 2:1:1 and 1:2:1, respectively. Significantly the highest per cent sterility of Z. cucurbitae was recorded at 90 Gy with a cross ratio of 2:1:1 and 1:1:2 (68.36 and 55.28%, respectively). © 2023, Journal of Entomological Research. All Rights Reserved.

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