Effects Of Gamma Radiation On The Mating Activity Of The Mediterranean Fruit Fly. Ceratitis Capitata Weid

Abstract

Full grown pupae of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata Weid were exposed to three doses of gamma radiation, 50 70 and 90 gray. The effects of irradiation on the fly mating activity were studied. There was no significant effect of the two low doses (SO & 70 gray) on the ability of the irradiated males to mate with irradiated females. However, at 90 gray, the mating of the irradiated males were significantly less than normal males. The mating ability of the irradiated males with normal females was decreased with increasing the dose. Irradiated males seemed to have ability to mate with irradiated females than to mate with normal females. The mating frequency of the irradiated males was decreased when caged with normal females, and the majority of males mated 3 times. On the other hand, the mating frequency of the irradiated males was increased when caged with irradiated females, and the majority mated 4 times. There was a slight decrease in the ability of the irradiated males to inseminate normal females at all doses tested.