Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Flight Activity of the Melon Fly, Dacus cucurbitae COQUILLETT (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

The duration and distance of flight and the flight velocity of the melon fly, Dacus cucurbitae COQUILLETT, were investigated by using a flight mill system. Mean flight duration of the normal female flies was significantly longer than that of the sterile ones which were irradiated with a dose of 7, 20, 30KR γ-ray. No significant differences were recognized between normal and sterile male flies irradiated with 7KR. No adverse effect of irradiation on the flight velocity was detected. Flight distance was the longest for the unirradiated flies and it decreased with the increase of the irradiation doses, but the difference among normal and sterile flies irradiated with either 7 or 20KR was not statistically significant. Generally, the flight ability decreased with the increase of the irradiation doses.