Damage Caused By the Bean Bruchid, Callosobruchus Maculatus (Fabricius) on Different Legume Seeds on Sale in Awka and Onitsha Markets, Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The damage caused by the bean bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus(Fabricius) on eight different legume seeds on sale in Awka and Onitshamarkets in Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria, were studied betweenJanuary and April, 2008. Clean legume seeds purchased from local marketswere screened to remove previous infestations. Laboratory reared strain ofbruchids from local markets were used to infest the legumes. Samples of 200g weights of different legume seeds were artificially infested with the weevils at different male: female ratios. Six different legume seeds out of the eight used were attacked by the weevils. Emergence holes and weight loss were the observed effects to the seeds. The highest number and percentage of exit holes and weight loss were observed in legumes challenged with bruchids at higher male: female ratios.