Rice weevil mainly attacks whole grains such as wheat, corn, barley and rice and have been found actively breeding in such foods. Its host range, now extended to split legumes. In the present experiment in the laboratory, it has been found that the rice weevil completed its life cycle successfully in three split legumes. Field bean and Bengal gram proved best hosts, where the weevil showed highest fecundity (484.40 & 464.50), fertility (287.60 & 288.40), progency production (1292.50 & 1230.00), adult longevity (51.25 & 94.00, 51.75 & 97.75 days, male and females) and short developmental period (32.25±0.83 & 34.00±0.71 days). However, the fecundity (347.60 eggs), fertility (189.30 larvae), developmental period (37.50±1.12 days), longevity (49.75 days), progeny production (1127.50 beetles), adult length (2.90 mm) male and female and body weights (3.01 & 3.09 mg) were lower in stored split green gram. The result indicates future pest status of
Rice weevil, development, split legumes
