EFFECTS OF GAMMA-RADIATION ON EGGS OF DACUS ZONATUS (SAUNDERS)

The effects of gamma-radiation (2 to 12 kR) were determined on the eggs of different age-groups of Dacus zonatus. When 4- to 5-hour-old eggs were irradiated, the larvae failed to hatch at 2 kR and higher doses, whereas 74 per cent hatched in control. None of the doses could prevent hatching following irradiation of 23- to 24- and 29- to 30-hour-old eggs, but the hatch percentage decreased as the dose increased. However, at 4 kR or higher doses, there was severe pupal mortality, and no normal adult emerged following irradiation of 23- to 24- and 29- to 30-hour-old eggs. Most of the adults that emerged from these two age-groups after 2, 4 and 6 kR were structurally deformed. Studies on the larval development revealed that the life-span of larvae was increased appreciably following irradiation of 23- to 24- and 29- to 30-hour-old eggs at 4 kR and higher doses. © 1969 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.