An area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) strategy with a sterile insect technique
(SIT) component has been proposed for the management of African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) in
South Africa. In preparation for the SIT, the mating performance of colony reared Glossina austeni
males under influencing factors such as radiation dose and the development stage that is exposed to
radiation, was assessed under laboratory and semi-field conditions. The radiation sensitivity of G.
austeni colonized 37 years ago when treated as adults and late-stage pupae was determined. Radiation
doses of 80 Gy and 100 Gy induced 97–99% sterility in colony females that mated with colony males
treated as adults or pupae. Males irradiated either as adults or pupae with a radiation dose of 100 Gy
showed similar insemination ability and survival as untreated males. Walk-in field cage assessments
indicated that a dose of up to 100 Gy did not adversely a ect the mating performance of males
irradiated as adults or late stage pupae. Males irradiated as adults formed mating pairs faster than
fertile males and males irradiated as pupae. The mating performance studies indicated that the
colonized G. austeni males irradiated as adults or late stage pupae will still be suited for SIT.IAEAhttp://www.mdpi.com/journal/insectsam2020Veterinary Tropical Disease
