Bruchids Associated with Edible Stored Leguminous Seeds in Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

To inventorize the bruchid species associated with stored edible leguminous seeds, eight different types of infested pulse seed / grain samples were collected from 21 locations spread across 10 districts of Tamil Nadu. Bruchids emerging from samples were collected and dry preserved. Morphological and male genitalia characterisation revealed the occurrence of five species of bruchid namely Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius), Callosobruchus chinensis Linnaeus, Callosobruchus analis Fabricius, Callosobruchus phaseoli Gyllenhall and Zabrotes subfasciatus Boheman. Among the five species, C. chinensis, C. phaseoli and Z. subfasciatus are first reports from Tamil Nadu. In C. maculatus, two forms namely flight and flightless forms were recorded. C. phaseoli and Z. subfasciatus were found only in lab lab and Horsegram seeds, respectively. Molecular characterisation was done for C. phaseoli. Descriptions, diagnostic keys, pictures of male, female insects, male genitalia and diagnostic characters are provided for all the five bruchid species. The findings of this study could be useful in framing management strategies particularly pheromone based bruchid management.