Suitability of Raycell MK2 Blood X-ray Irradiator for the Use in the Sterile Insect Technique: Dose Response in Fruit Flies, Tsetse Flies and Mosquitoes.

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is based on the inundatory field release of a target pest following their reproductive sterilization via exposure to radiation. Until recently, gamma irradiation from isotopic sources has been the most widely used in SIT programs. As isotopic sources are becoming increasingly expensive, especially for small programs, and regulations surrounding their procurement and shipment increasingly strict, irradiation capacity is one of the limiting factors in smaller or newly developing SIT projects.

Comparison of Ground Release and Drone-Mediated Aerial Release of Sterile Males in Southern Mexico: Efficacy and Challenges.

Sterile males of Aedes aegypti were released once a week for 8 weeks to evaluate the dispersal efficiency of ground and aerial drone release methods in a rural village of 26 Ha in southern Mexico. Indoor and outdoor BG-Sentinel traps were placed in 13−16 houses distributed throughout the village. The BG traps were activated 48 h after the release of the sterile males and functioned for a 24 h period following each release.

Characterization and dose-mapping of an X-ray blood irradiator to assess application potential for the sterile insect technique (SIT).

Self-contained gamma irradiators have been extensively used to reproductively sterilize insects for the sterile insect technique (SIT). More recently, the use of X-ray generators has gained attention due to the reduced investment, logistic, regulatory and safety requirements involved in the procurement, transport and operation of these machines compared with gamma irradiators. In this study, we evaluated a commercially available, "off-the-shelf" X-ray blood irradiator and found it suitable for insect irradiation in the frame of the SIT.

Sexual Competitiveness and Induced Egg Sterility by and Gamma-Irradiated Males: A Laboratory and Field Study in Mexico.

The sterile insect technique may prove useful for the suppression of mosquito vectors of medical importance in regions where arboviruses pose a serious public health threat. In the present study, we examined the effects of sterilizing irradiation doses across different ratios of fertile:irradiated males on the mating competitiveness of and under laboratory and field-cage conditions. For both species, the percentage of females inseminated and the number of eggs laid over two gonotrophic cycles varied significantly in mating treatments involving 1:1, 1:5, and 1:10 fertile:irradiated males compared to controls of entirely fertile or entirely irradiated males but was not generally affected by the irradiation dose.

Optimization of irradiation dose to Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus in a sterile insect technique program.

The sterile insect technique (SIT) may offer a means to control the transmission of mosquito borne diseases. SIT involves the release of male insects that have been sterilized by exposure to ionizing radiation. We determined the effects of different doses of radiation on the survival and reproductive capacity of local strains of Aedes aegypti and Ae.

Generic Irradiation and Hot Water Phytosanitary Treatments for Mango Fruits cv. 'Ataulfo' niño Infested by Anastrepha ludens and Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The mango fruit cv. 'Ataulfo' niño is an underdeveloped fruit that has a split on the back and a pronounced peak, and among the current total supply of commercialized mangoes cv. 'Ataulfo', approximately 2% are classified as 'Ataulfo' niño, which are strongly infested by Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Anastrepha obliqua Mcquart.

Influence of Methoprene on Pheromone Emission and Sexual Maturation of Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae) males.

It has been demonstrated that the application of juvenile hormone analog, methoprene, reduces the time required for sexual maturation and enhances mating success in several species of tephritid fruit flies. This study examined the effect of different concentrations of methoprene incorporated into the diet of adult flies and distinct sugar:protein (S:P) ratios on sexual maturity and pheromone emission of Anastrepha obliqua males. Diets with 0.