Smart strategies: Radiations for insect pest management approach

Insecticides have long been considered one of the most effective tools for pest control. However, their extensive use comes with significant drawbacks. Chemical pesticides are costly and leave residues that contaminate soil, air, and water systems, posing serious risks to non-target organisms and natural ecosystems. These environmental and health concerns have led to increasing restrictions on chemical use. In this context, irradiation has emerged as a promising alternative, particularly for replacing chemical fumigation in export commodities. In sterile insect technique (SIT) programs, irradiation is commonly applied using either self-contained or panoramic (non-self-contained) irradiators. The primary ionizing radiation sources used include gamma rays, X-rays, and high-energy electrons. To ensure effective quarantine security, especially for large insect populations, accurate dosimetry is essential when applying these radiation treatments. Irradiation is increasingly favoured because chemical disinfestation methods are subject to strict regulatory limitations due to concerns about environmental contamination and public health. Within integrated pest management (IPM) programs, SIT plays a crucial role in controlling economically important pests in agriculture, veterinary science, and public health. Furthermore, advances in genetic engineering are expected to enhance SIT by enabling the development of transgenic insect strains, thereby improving long-term pest suppression strategies. Thus, genetic approaches are becoming an important complement to SIT in managing large pest populations.