Effects of gamma radiation on spermatophore production and reception and subsequent fecundity and egg viability inAcarus siro L. (Acari: Acaridae)

Effects of radiation (Cobalt-60) on the elimination of Brevipalpus phoenicis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) Cardinium endosymbiont

“…The mortality of adult B. chilensis at 13 days after irradiation with doses of 250 and 350 Gy was 40.5 and 46.6%, respectively (Castro et al 2004). In A. siro the mortality rates ranged from 15 to 78% in adult females at 12 days after exposure to 40 krad (400 Gy) of Cobalt-60 radiation (Szlendak et al 1987). Such variability in mortality rate was expected because the sensitivity of arthropods to radiation can vary greatly between species within a taxonomic order, or within a species, between replicates-as found in this study.…”

“…Additionally, radiation effects on Acarus siro L. demonstrated that doses exceeding 20 krad (200 Gy) decreased egg viability by about 50% and also could cause sterility in 90% of the population (Szlendak et al 1987). Mineiro and Arthur (2003) irradiated spider mites (T. urticae) and determined that with doses of 250, 300 and 400 Gy, the mortality of the mites was higher than 80%, and 250 Gy was sufficient to sterilize them.…”

“…Fruits containing these adult females and eggs were submitted separately to three treatments: 250 or 200 Gy radiation, or no radiation (control). The doses of each treatment were chosen based on previous studies on mite irradiation (Helle and Bolland 1972;Overmeer et al 1972;Feldmann 1978;Pijnacker et al 1980;Szlendak et al 1987;Mineiro and Arthur 2003;Bakri et al 2005) and through a range-finding pilot experiment using doses of 50-300 Gy (data not shown).…”