Effect of UV radiation on life table parameters of the Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lep.: Gelechiidae)

Potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lep.: Gelechiidae), is one of the key pests of potato in the fields and warehouses of this product. Considering that potato is one of the important sources of human food, the control of this pest by different and especially non-chemical methods is of interest to researchers. Therefore, in this research, the effect of UV-C radiation on the population parameters of PTM was examined in laboratory conditions at 0, 4, 6 and 8 minutes on one- and three- day- old eggs. Based on the results, the intrinsic rate of population increase (r) and the finite rate of population increase (λ) under the influence of different times of UV-C radiation in one and three-day-old eggs with an increase in the duration of radiation yield decreased, and this decrease was more in three-day-old eggs than one-day-old eggs. The longest length of immature period was obtained in three-day-old eggs irradiated with UV-C radiation (37.67 days) in 8 minutes treatment. The shortest lifespan of adult female in one-day-old and three-day-old eggs was estimated 8.58 and 8.38 days at the time of 8 minutes of irradiation, respectively. The lowest net reproductive rate (R0) in three-day-old eggs at 0, 4, 6, and 8 minutes of irradiation was obtained 4.54, 3.28, 0.98, and 0.28 (female offspring), respectively. The maximum mean generation time (T) in three-day-old eggs was recorded as 42.86 days in the treatment of 8 minutes of irradiation. The obtained results show the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation on biological parameters and population growth of PTM. Therefore, UV-C irradiation may be considered in the integrated management of this pest in the storage stage.