Radiation biology of a serious tropical pigeon pea pest, (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and potential of radiation mediated 'inherited (F) sterility technique' for the pest suppression.

The impact of gamma radiation on the reproductive biology of the spotted pod borer, (Fabr.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) was ascertained to explore the potential of the radio-genetic 'Inherited (F) Sterility' technique (modified Sterile Insect technique) to control this serious pigeonpea pest in India. 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 (P) moths, inheritance of sterility and associated metamorphic disruption in F progeny.

Radioresistant Sf9 insect cells display efficient antioxidant defence against high dose γ-radiation.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of gamma radiation-induced alterations in antioxidant defence of radioresistant Sf9 insect cells.

Materials And Methods: Sf9 cells were irradiated at doses ranging from 0.5-200 Gy.

Effect of gamma radiation on Phenoloxidase pathway, antioxidant defense mechanism in Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its implication in inherited sterility towards pest suppression.

Purpose: To investigate age-correlated radiosensitivity in highly radioresistant lepidopteran pest, Helicoverpa armigera, upon exposure to ionizing radiation and to examine the irradiation impact on stress-molecular responses in F1 (first-filial) progeny of irradiated (100 Gy) male moths in relation to its reproductive behavior.

Materials And Methods: Efficacy of sub-lethal gamma radiation was evaluated on two markedly apart ontogenic stages, neonates and adult moths. Differential growth, reproductive behavior and stress-indicating molecular responses were examined upto F1 progeny of sub-sterilized moths.