Effects Of Gamma Radiation On The Motility And Attraction Of The Mediterranean Fruit Fly Ceratitis Capitata Wied, To Light, Colours And Odour

Abstract

Full grown pupae of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata were irradiated at three gamma dosages (50, 70 and 90 gray). The different effects on the motility and attraction to light colours and odour of the produced adults were studied. All the doses applied did not affect the visual sence organs responsible for light discrimination in both sexes. There was no significant effect of gamma radiation at all doses used on the percentage attraction of irradiated males or females to the orange colour. Normal females, were more attracted to the green colour than irradiated females especially at the rugfr-dpse (90 gray). However, males were less attracted to the green colour than females in both normal and irradiated insects. Males were not affected by low doses for their attraction to the green colour while they were significantly affected at the high dose (90 gray). Both males and females were clearly affected by radiation regarding their response to Guava odour especially at the high dose (90 gray) and females were more affected than males. Irradiation of either males or females at all doses tested did not affect the motility of the fly.