COMBINED EFFECTS OF EGG AGE AND RADIATION DOSAGE ON EGG HATCH OF TENEBRIO MOLITOR (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractTenebrio molitor L. eggs in 15 age groups ranging from 0.5 to 7.5 days were irradiated with 10 dosages of gamma radiation ranging from 0.5 to 160 krad. The study showed that age had a pronounced effect on radiation-induced egg mortality. There was a 250-fold increase in resistance as eggs matured from 0.5 to 7.5 days as measured by the dosage required to produce an LD50.