Irradiation as a quarantine treatment for agricultural products infested by Acarid mites (Acarina: Acaridae)

Irradiation was considered as a quarantine treatment for acarid mites (Acarina: Acaridae) in agricultural commodities. For immediate mortality of the mites, doses higher than 2000 Gy of gamma radiation were required. Doses in the range of 1300-1500 Gy were sufficient if lethality within a few weeks was the goal. A dose of 250-300 Gy would be effective if the objective was to prevent the reproduction of living mites. At this dose, adult survivors of the acarid mites could be present in the treated commodities, but they would not give rise to offspring; thus, these pests would not be able to perpetuate in a new area. However, live mites in agricultural products could be of concern to quarantine personnel. Therefore, a simple test is needed to ensure that the mites have been irradiated and that they do not pose a quarantine risk. A test to verify that a pest has been irradiated and is incapable of reproduction may be based on the infecundity of the treated mites. (author). 12 refs, 11 tabs