Combined effects of oxygen, partial vacuum, temperature, humidity and gamma radiation on mating competitiveness of culex pipiens complex l. Males

Abstract

When the pupal stage of Culex pipiens complex L. male mosquito was exposed to gamma radiation (60 Gy), oxygen, partial vacuum (0.1 torr), low temperature (10°C), for one or two hours, or low humidity (31% R. H.) for 3 hours, applied separately, their mating competitiveness was not affected. However, when they were exposed to the 2nd, 3rd or 4th factor followed by irradiation with 60 Gy gamma radiation after 1/2, 1 or 2 hours, the mating competitiveness was insignificantly decreased. When the pupae were exposed to low humidity (31 % R.H.) for 3 hours and then irradiated immediately or after 1/2, 1 or 2 hours, the mating competitiveness was significantly decreased.