Biology and development of Sitophilus oryzae L. feeding on split pulses

An experiment was carried out at the Entomology Laboratory, Horticultural College and Research Institute for Women, Trichy in November- December 2013 to study the biology and development of Sitophilus oryzae L. under laboratory conditions. Observations were made on oviposition rate, total number of eggs, adult emergence per 100 grains, egg to adult survival percentage, adult longevity, adult emergence period and reproductive potential. The oviposition rate per female (9.43 nos), total number of eggs (94.30 nos), adult emergence per 100 grains (38.50 nos), reproductive potential (35.50 nos), egg to adult survival percentage (41.85), adult female longevity (12.88 weeks) and adult male longevity (8.33 weeks) were higher in redgram under room temperature condition feeding by the respective population as compared to controlled condition. In case of sorghum, all the above parameters were superior to redgram feeding by the respective population under room and controlled temperature condition. The larval (26.13 days), pupal (7.63 days) and adult emergence period (33.75 days) was maximum in lentil under room temperature as compared to controlled condition. In case of sorghum, larval, pupal and adult emergence period was minimum when compared to split pulses feeding by the respective population irrespective of temperature and humidity.