Gamma-Radiation Induced Changes on Several Reproductive Potentials in Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) and C. maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera : Bruchidae)

Several reproductive potentials like fecundity, egg-to-adult developmental period, percentage of adult emergence, sex-ratios and adult longevity of the pulse beetles, Callosobruchus chinensis and C. maculatus in response to gamma radiation treatments of 2, 4, 8 and 16 Gy on newly emerged adults were studied. Results indicate that 16 Gy is effective in suppressing C. maculatus populations through 90% sterility. The probit sterility responses were 6.60 Gy and 2.42 Gy for C. chinensis and C. maculatus respectively and the probit mortality values for the two species were 32.10 Gy and 42.28 Gy respectively. In both species, progenies derived from parental generation were more affected by the treatments than those from F1 or F2 generations