Gamma irradiation effects on larvae of the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Staint) (Lepidoptera-Pyralidae)

The effect of gamma irradiation on the specific activity of ATP-ase, AChE and amino acid contents in different larval ages of Corcyra cephalonice (Staint) were studied. In general, the effect of irradiation on enzymes activity was highly noticed with AChE enzyme than ATP-ase enzyme. The higher the dose of gamma irradiation, the higher the rate of enzyme inhibition and vice versa. Also, the influence of gamma radiation on free and protein hydrolysate amino acid contents was more pronounced by increasing the irradiation dose and time after treatment. Increasing the dose was accompanied by reducing the free and protein amino acid contents. The results revealed that reduction in percent pupation, adult emergence, fecundity and fertility of the resulting adults depended upon the dose and larval age at the time of treatment. The severe reduction in fecundity and fertility was observed in 25 days old larvae treated with 80 Gy.