Abstract:
Callosobruchus spp. are global serious pests of pulses. Therefore, two studies were carried out to determine their distribution in three ecological zones of Sindh, Pakistan along with their damage potential to major pulses. A survey was conducted in Zone one (Ghotki, Sukkur, and Larkana districts), Zone two (Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, and Shaheed Benazirabad districts), and Zone three (Karachi district) from March - April 2020. Grain samples of main pulses i.e., chickpea, field pea, cowpea, green lentil, and yellow lentil were collected from three locations in each district and brought to Stored Grain Research Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Faculty of Crop Protection, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam for further examination. Three pulse beetle species i.e., C. maculatus, C. chinensis and C. analis were identified from the collected pulse samples as the highest populations of adults, eggs, grubs, and pupae were recorded from green lentil, followed by cowpea and chickpea. No population of pulse beetle was recorded from yellow lentil and field pea. Callosobruchus maculatus was the most dominant species in all sampling as higher beetle populations were recorded from Mirpur Khas and Sukkur districts. Therefore, both these strains were further evaluated for their feeding preference and weight loss assessment on various pulses i.e., chickpea, cowpea, green lentil, and yellow lentil in no-choice under laboratory conditions. C. maculatus showed a significant feeding preference among pulses with cowpea and chickpea being the most preferred, whereas yellow lentil was the least preferred, hence sufering the highest and lowest weight losses, respectively. Therefore, proper storage and quarantine measures should be taken in the transportation and storage of pulses to restrict the spread and damage of pulse beetles.
Page(s):
9-21
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Proceedings of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences: B. Life and Environmental Sciences, Volume: 59, Issue: 3, Year: 2022
Keywords:
Distribution
,
Population
,
Stored grains
,
damage
,
Beetles
,
Callosobruchus