EFFECT OF GAMMA RADIATION ON RHIZOGLYPHUS ECHINOPUS (FUMOUZE AND ROBIN) AND ALEUROGLYPHUS OVATUS (TROUPEAU) (ACARI: ACARIDAE)

Eggs, inert deutonymphs and young, virgin adults of Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze and Robin) and Aleuroglyphus ovatus (Troupeau) were treated with 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 krad of gamma radiation. Fecundity, egg viability, oviposition period, survival of developmental stages, and longevity of females were compared. Doses ≥ 40 krad completely inhibited egg development. Eggs of A. ovatus were more resistant to gamma radiation than those of R. echinopus. The effect of irradiation on the inert deutonymphs was more detrimental than it was on young adults. Effect of irradiation on the life span of females of both species was stimulatory at doses of up to 60 krad and inhibitory at higher doses. The oviposition period varied inversely with the irradiation dose. Irradiation with 5 krad caused, in both mite species, at least a 50% decrease in fecundity.