Effect of ultra-violet rays on growth and development of rust red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

The adults of Tribolium castaneum were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light (254 nm) for different time periods (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 min) and each replicated thrice. The culture of unexposed beetles was maintained for comparison. The different time period levels were maintained in the laminar flow cabinet using ultra-violet radiations (254 nm). The fecundity (113.00 eggs/female), hatchability (55.33%), pupation (53.01%) and adult emergence (F1) (36.67) were maximum in unexposed beetles, whereas, minimum in beetles exposed for 16 min (23.50 eggs/ female, 29.33, 24.98 and 4.00%, respectively) under UV radiation.   Key words: Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), ultraviolet (UV) radiation, beetles, fecundity.