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.