Effects of Gamma Irradiation Against Mating Competitiveness of Male Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera:Culicidae) in Laboratory

ABSTRACT Culex quinquefasciatus is the main vector of lymphatic filariasis in Pekalongan City. Sterile Insect Tehnique (SIT) could be complementary vector control for filariasis. The key success of the technique depend on the ability of laboratory-reared sterile males with the wild-type females.The aim of the research was to determine the mating competitiveness, the fecundity and the fertility of sterile male Culex quinquefasciatus. The pupae of Cx. quinquefasciatus were gamma irradiated at the doses of 60Gy, 70Gy, and 80Gy, while unirradiated pupae were prepared as control. The mosquitoes emerging from the irradiated pupae could mate with a normal female in the cages. It were observed for the mean female laying eggs, the fecundity, the fertility and the mating competitiveness. The data were analyzed by one way ANOVA. The result showed that the irradiated Cx. quinquefasciatus at the doses tested did not affect on the fecundity and the mating competitiveness, but the fertility was disturbed (sterile). A dose of 70 Gy was the optimum dose or a fertility rate of 1.8% (98.2% sterile), and the value of competitiveness (C index) was 0.568. Based on the result, the irradiated Cx. quinquefasciatus can be recommended for semifield application.