Control of the Queensland Fruit Fly by Gamma Irradiation1

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Abstract
The lethal effect of gamma radiation on the developmental stages of the Queensland fruit fly, Strumeta tryoni (Froggatt), was investigated. A dose of 80 kilorads or more was required to kill within 1 day all eggs and larvae treated, but a dose of 5 kilorads prevented the emergence of adults under normal growing conditions at 25°C. Fractionation of the total radiation dose, or treatment of the larvae at lower temperature, or in a sealed container, was less effective. The radiation resistance of pupae for the first 5 days after pupation was similar to that of mature larvae, LD50 being near 1.5 kilorads. Resistance increased rapidly as the pupae aged. The LD50exceeded 50 kilorads for pupae 10 days old. For quarantine purposes a dosage near 5 kilorads is suggested for the treatment of fruit infested with the Queensland fruit fly.