Function of Ultraviolet Radiation (UV-B) Light on the Survival of Red Flour Beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and their Body Fitness
Function of Ultraviolet Radiation (UV-B) Light on the Survival of Red Flour Beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and their Body Fitness
Moheem Khan1, Arif Ali1*, Shafique Ahmed Memon1, Taimoor Khan Qambrani2, Ghulam Khaliq3, Jahanzaib Khan1, Saghir Ahmed1, Azmat Hussain Abro4 and Sohail Azeem Baloch1
ABSTRACT
Red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) is a key insect pest of stored grain. Using radiation is an established method for controlling insect pests in store-grain and a significant stress factor affecting stored grain pests. The Present research work was designed to control T. castaneum through ultraviolet radiation (UV-B 313 nm) light is applied at various timings such as 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 minutes UV-B light on all developmental stages of T. castaneum. The results revealed that significant mortality was observed in eggs, larvae and pupal stage at all given timings of UV-B light compared with control. Incubation period of eggs, developmental period of larvae and pupae gradually increased as increasing exposure time of UV-B light. Statistically, no significant difference was observed between 5 minutes UV-light and control group on the incubation period of eggs and larval stages. Significantly, adult longevity of T. castaneum was reduced at all given timings of UV-B light as compared to control. However, a significant weight reduction was noticed on larvae, pupae and adult stages from 20, 40 and 60 minutes UV-B light as compared to control. Whereas no statistical difference was observed using 5 and 10 minutes UV-B light as compared with control. Use of UV-B light is a helpful technique for the management of T. castaneum because we found that all developmental stages of T. castaneum showed susceptibility on UV-B light that may be useful for the protection of stored grain products from T. castaneum infestation.
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December 2021
Vol. 34, Iss. 4, Pages 672-912
