title: Large-scale confirmatory tests of a phytosanitary irradiation treatment against Sternochetus frigidus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Philippine mango.
abstract: The mango pulp weevil, Sternochetus frigidus (F.), is an important quarantine pest preventing the export of mangoes from the Philippines to the United States and other countries. Previously, a radiation dose of 100 Gy was proposed for phytosanitary treatment of S. frigidus based on dose-response studies with larvae, pupae, and adult weevils. To validate an irradiation treatment, large-scale confirmatory tests were conducted with adults (the most radiation-tolerant stage) in mangoes at 100 and 150 Gy. After treatment, adults were removed from fruit, sexed, and mated in pairs to observe any reproduction. At 100 Gy, adults laid a small number of eggs but none of the eggs hatched. At 150 Gy (measured doses 96.7-164.1 Gy),4,559 treated weevils laid no eggs, indicating that this dose caused complete sterility. Irradiation treatment with a minimum absorbed dose of 165 Gy will therefore provide quarantine security for S. frigidus in exported Philippine mangoes.
authors.forename: Glenda B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Obra
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Resilva
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Follett
authors.forename: L R J
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Lorenzana
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005514:Food Irradiation; D008297:Male; D031022:Mangifera; D010679:Philippines; D048889:Weevils / Q000528:radiation effects*