Integrated effects of diatomaceous earth and Gamma ray on mortality of Red Flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Col.: Tenebrionidae) in laboratory conditions

The study were done during 2010-2011 to investigate the integrated effects of different doses of gamma radiation and diatomaceous earth (INSECTO®) on Red Flour Beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) in laboratory conditions (27±1°C, 60±5% humidity, dark room). In this study, adults of red flour beetle were grown on mashed corn (50 gram) and then treated with different doses of Gamma ray (100, 500 and 1000 Gray) and three doses of diatomaceous earth (0.5, 1 and 1.5 g kg-1). Percentage of mortality were recorded after 1, 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days and compared with control. Results showed significant differences among various doses of diatomaceous earth (DE) and Gamma ray and their interactions in most days after treatment. In comparing the means mortality in different doses of diatomaceous earth (DE) and various doses of Gamma ray, most mortality were recorded after 35 days in 1.5 gr/kg diatomaceous earth and 1000 Gray Gamma ray separately. In combination of Gamma ray and diatomaceous earth, most mortalities were recorded after 35 days for 1 and 1.5 g kg-1 (DE) combined with 500 and 1000 gray Gamma ray. It is concluded that 1 gkg-1 (DE) combined with 500 gray gamma ray is the best combination of the lreatmants.