Susceptibility of Rhyzopertha dominica to ionizing radiation

The effects of ionizing radiation doses between 1 and 20 krad on all stages of Rhyzopertha dominica were studied. Adult emergence from treated eggs and larvae was prevented by 4 and 8 krad respectively. Doses up to 20 krad to pupae only slightly reduced the emergence of adults. However there was considerable (up to 30 per cent) mortality of the adults within 8 hours of eclosion. The 20 krad dose caused very high mortality of adults from irradiated pupae and of irradiated adults within 3-5 weeks. Complete sterility, as evidenced by the lack of an F generation, was induced in pupae by a dose of 14 krad and in adults by 11·5 krad