Laboratory and Field Cage Studies of the Effects of Gamma Radiation on Codling Moths1

Abstract

Gamma radiation of the codling moth, Carpocapsa pomonella (L.), as an adult or fully mature pupa reduced the F1 generation 98% when male moths treated with 40kr were mated with untreated female moths. Treated female moths irradiated with 20 kr and mated with untreated males deposited no viable eggs. The population reduction in the F1 generation was 84% when adult males treated with 40 kr were confined in field cages at a ratio of 20 treated males to 1 untreated male and 1 untreated female moth. The reduction of the F1 generation was slightly lower, 76%, when both the adult females and males treated with 40 kr were released in field cages at a ratio of 20 treated males and 20 treated females to 1 untreated male and 1 untreated female moth.