Evaluation of Sterile Insect Technique for Controlling of Diamondback moth Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Diamond back moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella L., currently is one of the most serious insect pests of Brassicaceae in Iran. The larvae of this pest cause damage on these plants by sever defoliation them. In the present study, effectiveness of ionizing radiation by Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) in management of diamond back moth was evaluated. The effect of gamma irradiation on DBM pupae at doses of 100 to 300 Gy on biological parameters of DBM moths was determined when pupae were irradiated. The mean percentage of mortality of irradiated pupae was significantly increased beyond 150 Gy and reached 58.75% at 300 Gy compared with 32.89 in control. The longevity of the adult moths significantly decreased beyond 100 Gy. The mean percentages of the egg hatch dose-dependently decreased in crosses between the treated parents (whether one or both parents treated) and reached to zero at 300 Gy. The calculated competition value of the irradiated males was within the acceptable range in rates of 3:1:1 and 4:1:1 (treated male: normal male: normal female).