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NALDC Record Details:
Damage to raisins, almonds, and walnuts by irradiated Indianmeal moth and navel orangeworm larvae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
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Damage to raisins, almonds, and walnuts due to feeding by irradiated larvae of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), and the navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), was determined. Larvae of both species were reared on bran diet. Age of the larvae when irradiated was 8 d for Indianmeal moth and 13 d for navel orangeworm. Larvae were irradiated with doses ranging from 337 to 497 Gy (gray) before transfer to almonds, walnuts, and raisins. Adult emergence was prevented by all doses. In products containing irradiated larvae, damage was consistently reduced. The percentage of weight losses of almonds infested with untreated Indianmeal moth and navel orangeworm larvae and of walnuts infested with untreated navel orangeworm larvae was significantly higher than the percentage of weight loss of those infested with irradiated larvae. Radiation also improved the overall appearance of the product by reducing webbing and frass. These results indicate that although radiation-induced mortality may be delayed, damage to product quality due to infestation by larvae would be significantly reduced.
Journal of economic entomology Oct 1989. v. 82 (5)
Journal Articles, USDA Authors, Peer-Reviewed
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