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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #312796
Title: Radiobiology of Aethina tumida and prospects for management using sterile insect releases

Author
item DOWNEY, DANIELLE - Hawaii Department Of Agriculture
item CHUN, STACEY - Hawaii Department Of Agriculture
item Follett, Peter

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/11/2015
Publication Date: 6/1/2015
Citation: Downey, D., Chun, S., Follett, P.A. 2015. Radiobiology of Aethina tumida and prospects for management using sterile insect releases. Journal of Economic Entomology. 108(3):868-872.

Interpretive Summary: Small hive beetle is considered a serious threat to beekeeping in the Western Hemisphere, Australia, and Europe mainly due to larval feeding on honey, pollen, and brood of the European honey bee. Control methods are limited for this pest. Studies were conducted to provide information on the radiobiology of small hive beetle and determine the potential for sterile insect releases as a control strategy. Adult males and females were equally sensitive to a radiation dose of 80 Gy and died within 5-7 days after treatment. Irradiation of pre-reproductive bisexual adults at 45 Gy under low oxygen (1-4%) caused a high level of sterility (>99%) while maintaining moderate survivorship for several weeks, and should suffice for sterile insect releases. Sterile insect technique holds potential for suppressing SHB populations in newly invaded areas and limiting its spread.

Technical Abstract: Small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) is considered a serious threat to beekeeping in the Western Hemisphere, Australia, and Europe mainly due to larval feeding on honey, pollen, and brood of the European honeybee, Apis mellifera. Control methods are limited for this pest. Studies were conducted to provide information on the radiobiology of small hive beetle and determine the potential for sterile insect releases as a control strategy. Adult males and females were equally sensitive to a radiation dose of 80 Gy and died within 5-7 days after treatment. In reciprocal crossing studies, irradiation of females alone lowered reproduction to a greater extent than irradiation of males alone. For matings between unirradiated males and irradiated females, mean reproduction was reduced by >99% at 45 and 60 Gy compared with controls, and no larvae were produced at 75 Gy. Irradiation of pre-reproductive bisexual adults at 45 Gy under low oxygen (1-4%) caused a high level of sterility (>99%) while maintaining moderate survivorship for several weeks, and should suffice for sterile insect releases. Sterile insect technique holds potential for suppressing SHB populations in newly invaded areas and limiting its spread.