Growth and developmental responses of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) on various pulses

A laboratory experiment was conducted on the developmental biology of pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) on five different pulses viz., black gram, green gram, chickpea (Desi), cowpea and pea. Significantly highest numbers of eggs, shortest post-oviposition, adult longevity and total life periods was recorded on cowpea. The beetle laid maximum eggs (89.3) on cowpea and minimum on pea (50.7). Maximum eggs were laid on first day of oviposition and lasted for eight days. Hatching of eggs was maximum on green gram (98.1%) and minimum on cowpea (94.3%). The oviposition period, post-oviposition period, incubation period, larval-pupal period, total life period and adult longevity were in the range of 6.6 to 7.9, 1.09 to 2.6, 4.3 to 5.1, 20.1 to 37.2, 31.6 to 39.1 and 11.0 to 13.1 days, respectively on various pulses. No significant differences were found in oviposition period, post-oviposition period, incubation period, total life period and adult longevity on various pulses. The adult emergence was maximum on chickpea (96.7%) and minimum on pea (52.3%).