Control of Harmful Insects in Timbers by Irradiation

Doses Required for Sterilization and Inhibition of Emergence of the Minute Pine Bark Beetle, Cryphalus fulvus NIIJIMA

Abstract

The radiosensitivity of the minute pine bark beetle Cryphalus fulvus NIIJIMA was studied for the radiation control of timber insects. The susceptibility to sterilization and inhibition of emergence by gamma irradiation increased in the order of eggs>larvae>pupae>adults.
The dose for sterilizing adults was about 15 krad at the most. The dose for inhibiting the emergence was 5 krad for 5-day old eggs, 7 krad for 3rd-instar larvae and more than 12 krad for pupae, and sterilizing doses for 3 rd-instar larvae and pupae were 6 krad and 8-9 krad, respectively.