Effect of mutagenic ultraviolet radiation on adult Monosteira buccata Horv. (Hemiptera: Tingidae) isolated from poplar trees in Nineveh Forest

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

College of Science, Department of Biology, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq.

10.22103/jab.2026.27009.1873

Abstract

Objective
Physical agents especially the ultraviolet radiation have become a viable option in the control of insect pests. It has been found to have negative impacts on insects, causing direct DNA damage such as the formation of pyrimidine dimers, and provoking oxidative stress and subsequent dysfunction, reduced survival and cell death. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of the ultraviolet radiation in the control of the poplar bug and also assess its efficacy as an alternative or supplement to conventional pesticides.
Materials and methods
In this study, adult M. buccata insects were collected from poplar leaves. After that, they were stored in sterile glass bottles and then transferred to the entomology laboratory of the University of Mosul. The toxicity of Finch insecticide at three concentrations (25, 50 and 100%) was investigated by leaf immersion method and placing 10 insects per Petri dish. The effect of ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of 254 nm was also evaluated at different times. Finally, the synergistic effect of ultraviolet radiation and insecticide on insect mortality was also measured.
Results
Insect mortality increased with increasing insecticide concentration with the mortality rate increasing with the 25% concentration up to 100% concentration to 55.5 and 95.5 % respectively. The exposure times to UV have an important effect on the rising mortality. The mortality rate was 48% at an exposure time of five minutes to 100 at the exposure time of 20 minutes. This shows the enhancing effect of UV radiation in the toxicity of the insect. In addition, the synergistic effect of the UV radiation versus the chemical insecticide Fentanol in 100 % concentration exhibited a complete synergy as the adult insects’ poplar bugs were found to be completely dead at 15 minutes and 20 minutes of exposure. All these findings demonstrate that treatment by physical agents like UV radiation in combination with chemical agents enhances the control efficacy, reduces the dosage of pesticides required.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that the use of Finch pesticide, especially when combined with ultraviolet radiation, represents a promising option within integrated pest management programs and has a great potential in decreasing the density of the adult insects (poplar bug) Monosteira buccata.

Keywords


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