Mating activity of gamma irradiated codling moth, Laspeyresia pomonella (L.)

Mating of 30-krad treated codling moths, Laspeyresia pomonella, under field cage conditions occurred mainly at temperatures ranging from 14 to 200C. Irradiation applied to diet-reared moths produced neither an apparent shift in the time (hours) of copulation nor a decrease of the mating activity. However, a significant reduction in the mating ability was induced by Calco Oil Red added to the larval diet, and also by handling and transporting the moths about 140 km to the irradiation facilities. The morning time was found to be the best time to release irradiated moths in the field. Males reared on thinning apples were two times more active sexually than ones reared on an artificial medium. (author)