Inheritance of partial sterility in progeny of irradiated males of Ephosphate cedilla (Gen.) (Lepidoptera : Parlayed

Mature male pupae of Ephosphate cedilla (Guen.) were irradiated with sub sterilizing doses of 100, 150 and 200 Gy of gamma radiation and the resulting adults were paired with untreated virgin females. Radiation effects on reproduction biology, development and sex ratio for several generations were investigated. The results showed that the greater was the initial dose, the greater were the reduction in fecundity and percent egg hatch among F1 and F2 progeny. The F1 progeny exhibited more sterility than their treated parents and F1 males exhibited more sterility than F1 females, but partial recovery was occurred in the F2 generation. The effect of irradiation on mating frequency and adult longevity was non-significant. The percent adult emergence was significantly reduced among F1 and F2 progenies and to a lesser extent in the F3. The reduction was increased as the dose applied to P1 male pupae was increased. The sex ratio was altered in favour of males