Abstract
The present study was carried to determine the efficacy of gamma radiation on different developmental stages of the powder post beetles, Lyctus africanus Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). The lethal dose of gamma radiation for larvae, pupae, and adults was determined. Mortality following irradiation of larvae was significantly high at all doses of irradiation. No adults emerged from larvae irradiated at 80 and 100Gy. On the other hand, the losses in wood weight decreased with increasing gamma doses. Irradiated pupae with all radiation doses (20 to 100Gy) had no effect on adult emergence. Exposing pupae to different gamma irradiation doses (20 up to 100Gy) showed morphological changes. Adults of L. africanus irradiated with the doses of 120 and 140Gy died soon after emergence.