Ultrastructure and Histopathological Alteration in The Ovaries of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) Induced by X-ray Radiation

Ceratitis capitata is considered one of the world’s most destructive pests. Medflies can infest over 300 species of fruit plants, adapt to a variety of climate zones and have a high invasive potential. Medfly can target economically valuable fruit, resulting in significant economic losses estimated to be in the billions of dollars per year. This study aimed to investigate the effect of X-ray irradiation on the female ovary of Ceratitis capitata (resulting from irradiated pupae) in comparison to a normal female ovary of the same age. The structure of normal and treated female ovaries of Ceratitis capitata was studied using light and transmission electron microscopy. The female reproductive system of Ceratitis capitata is composed of paired lateral ovaries. Each ovary consists of polytrophic meroistic ovarioles formed by a terminal filament, a germarium and a vitellarium. The female ovaries were greatly affected by X-ray irradiation because of the appearance of abnormal shape and size of egg chambers, degeneration of nurse cells and their nucleus, the nucleus of follicular epithelium appear devoid of chromatin materials, presence of lysosomes and myeloid bodies, the oocytes appear devoid of yolk granules and its nucleus. The results of this study show that X-ray radiation technology has a clear effect on C. capitata and could be considered an effective and safe method to control medflies populations.