Radiation biology of a serious tropical pigeon pea pest, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and potential of radiation mediated ‘inherited (F1) sterility technique’ for the pest suppression

Purpose: The impact of gamma radiation on the reproductive biology of the spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Fabr.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) was ascertained to explore the potential of the radio-genetic ‘Inherited (F1) Sterility’ technique (modified Sterile Insect technique) to control this serious pigeonpea pest in India.Materials and methods: Radio-biological investigations involved dose–response studies, at a range of 100–250 Gy, with respect to radiation induced adverse effects on reproductive behavior in substerilized parent (P1) moths, inheritance of sterility and associated metamorphic disruption in F1 progeny. The reproductive competence of P1 male moths and their F1 progeny was evaluated by ascertaining the survival, mating success, sperm transfer and amphimixis of gametes from irradiated male parents and their F1 progeny. Daily ovipositional and egg fertility profile were evaluated as crucial parameters for simulation modeling for this radio-genetic technique.Results: Radiation-induced check in insemination rate and sterility in P1 and F1 generation had a positive correlation with gamma dose. The metamorphic adverse effects in F1 progeny of substerilized P1 males were influenced by P1 irradiation. A higher dose of 200 Gy that resulted in 21.1% fertility in parent cross (P1♂x N♀) could form only 14.4% F1 adults that were all malformed. A gamma dose of 150 Gy (administered to P1 males) could be considered as a suitable dose for F1 sterility, that induced 57.4% control of reproduction in parent generation, followed by 72–85% control of reproduction in F1 progeny involved in three crosses -F1♂xN♀, N♂xF1♀, F1♂xF1♀. Daily fertility profile of the eggs laid indicated a marked reduction on 4th day onwards during the ovipositional span in P1 and F1 generation. High degree of mating competitiveness value (CV) was noticed for 150 Gy irradiated male P1 moths (0.78–0.93), and their F1 male progeny (0.70–0.89), released in different sex ratios in the field cages having untreated moths. Reduced relative damage to the pigeon pea plants by the released F1 progeny in the field cages was observed in comparison to control.Conclusion: The present study indicated the potential use of a dose of 150 Gy to apply the ‘F1 sterility’ technique for parabiological suppression of the pigeon pea pod borer. The present findings and reproductive performance of the irradiated moths in F2 generation along with other compatible biorational pest control tactics (that are in progress), might help in formulating an effective integrated pest management module, including the F1 sterility technique as an integral component.