The Relation of Genome Number to Radiosensitivity in Habrobracon

Abstract

Haploids and diploids of the parasitic wasp Habrobracon were X-ray irradiated during known stages of embryonic and post-embryonic development and compared with regard to their sensitivity to damage by X-rays. The ability to continue development and to emerge from cocoons as adults was used as the criterion of injury. The ratio of haploid to diploid radiosensitivity is different for different stages of development. During the cleavage stages of embryonic development haploids are more resistant than diploids; during the later stages of embryonic development haploids and diploids are equal in sensitivity; during the post-embryonic stages diploids are more resistant than haploids. The bearing of these data on determining the site of injury from radiation is discussed.