Resistance of different species of insect pests of grain to the influence of gamma-radiation

The influence of gamma-radiation in the dose range from 50 to 1,000 Gy and dose rates of 100, 500 and 950 Gy/h on the viability of different species of insect pests, such as Calandra granaria L. (adult and larval stages) and Trogoderma granarium (larval stage), was studied. It was found out that when exposed to radiation in the range from 50 to 450 Gy, larval mortality depends on their age and radiation dose, and when exposed to radiation in doses over 500 Gy, it depends on the dose and radiation power. Complete mortality of larvae after exposure to radiation with doses of 300– 450 Gy (dose rate of 100 Gy/h) occurred after 7–8 days, with doses of 50–250 Gy — after 14–17 days. Exposure to radiation in the doses of 500–1,000 Gy (dose rate of 950 Gy/h) caused 100% mortality of larvae after 5–6 days. It was noted that when the granary weevil in the adult stage was exposed to radiation at doses of 200–400 Gy, its mortality after 15 days amounted to 94.7%, and at doses of 500 Gy and higher, it was 100%. It was shown that radiation of barley grain of different varieties in a wide range of doses has no significant influence on grain quality.