Potential new tool for pepper weevil management in Ontario greenhouses: Sterile Insect Technique

Citation

Basso, J., Labbe, R. and Scott-Dupree, C. 2021. Potential new tool for pepper weevil management in Ontario greenhouses: Sterile Insect Technique. Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention (Niagara Falls)

Abstract

The pepper weevil is a serious economic pest of pepper crops worldwide and the sterile insect technique could prove to be a sustainable and cost-effective tool to manage pepper weevil. The SIT works by rearing a large number of pest insects, sterilizing them using gamma radiation or x-rays, and releasing huge numbers of sterilized males into the infested area where they mate with the wild females which then produce non-viable eggs. This results in a dramatic reduction or even eradication of the pest in the next generation. This project will determine the optimal minimum dose of gamma radiation for sterilizing pepper weevil and test the quality of sterilized pepper weevils.

Publication date

2021-02-17

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