Host preference and development of Callosobruchus analis (F.) on different legumes

Bruchids cause qualitative and quantitative deterioration of legumes, especially during post-harvest storage. The study was conducted to determine the preference and development of Callosobruchus analis (F.) on six common legume hosts, viz. mungbean, urdbean, desi chickpea, kabuli chickpea, pigeonpea and cowpea using no-choice and free-choice assay. The C. analis adult beetles preferred to lay more eggs on pigeonpea (59.00 eggs) and cowpea seeds (76.67 eggs) in no-choice and free-choice assay, respectively indicating the most preferred oviposition substrates. Higher egg density was evident on cowpea (1.14 eggs per seed), desi chickpea (1.07) and kabuli chickpea (1.01) in free-choice assay. The rate of adult emergence in free-choice assay was found to be higher in pigeonpea (88.53%) signifying the suitability of host. The egg-to-adult developmental period was 1.4 to 1.5 times longer on urdbean seeds (43–44 days) and delayed development was apparent in comparison to other legumes. Nevertheless, C. analis was found to breed and survive on all six legumes but host seeds had significant effect on oviposition, survival and developmental time. The seed characters, nutritional composition and presence of deterrent factors could have attributed to differential preference and development of C. analis on six different legumes studied.