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The effect of attributes of Vigna spp. on the bionomics of Callosobruchus maculatus
Author(s) -
Sulehrie M. A. Q.,
Golob P.,
Tran B. M. D.,
Farrell G.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
entomologia experimentalis et applicata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1570-7458
pISSN - 0013-8703
DOI - 10.1046/j.1570-7458.2003.00019.x
Subject(s) - callosobruchus maculatus , vigna , biology , gram , callosobruchus chinensis , fecundity , bionomics , horticulture , radiata , botany , larva , pest analysis , toxicology , population , bacteria , genetics , demography , sociology
Various parameters of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), such as ovipositional behaviour, development period, and ability of newly hatched larvae to utilise the host for further growth, are affected by host attributes that could be physical or chemical in nature. These factors were assessed using green‐ and black‐gram (Leguminosae) seed characteristics to explore whether they affected oviposition behaviour, fecundity, and breeding success in C. maculatus, and to determine whether the presence of cysteine proteinase inhibitor (CPI) within the seeds caused inhibition of proteinase activity in C. maculatus. Investigation revealed that green‐gram ( Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) varieties differed from black‐gram ( Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) varieties by having softer seeds with smoother seed coats. Green‐gram NM92 and the control had the heaviest seeds with the largest surface area and medium hardness, black‐gram had seeds with medium weight, medium surface area, and maximum hardness, and green‐gram NCM209 had the lightest seeds with smallest surface area and minimum hardness. Varieties with smooth seed coats and greater seed weight and surface area were preferred for oviposition. Grain texture was more important as an oviposition stimulus than grain surface area and size for the Islamabad biotype of C. maculatus. The level of CPI in seeds was not, on its own, responsible for the observed differences in insect development period or larval activity. Development period was shorter in green‐gram with softer seeds and was prolonged in black‐gram with harder seeds. Although C . maculatus did not suffer higher mortality in black‐gram seeds, the delay in development alone may lead to a considerable reduction in seed loss during storage, due to the low rate of multiplication and lower population growth.