Infestation and Population Growth of Stored Grain Pest C. chinensis in Two Varieties of Arhar during Different Seasons

Abstract

Pulses are cheapest source of dietary proteins in developing countries like India where per capita consumption of animal protein is very low. Dietary proteins are important for growth repair and development. Callosobruchus chinensis, pulse beetle, is a serious pest of pulses. The insect pest damages the pulse grain in agriculture field as well as in storage. Present work has been done to assess the population growth of pulse beetle in important pulse whole grains during different seasons, at different temperature and relative humidity. Significant population growth of pulse beetle was observed during different months of the year. Pulse selected for study was Arhar. Population growth was found to be affected by parental population as well as atmospheric temperature and humidity. Infestation was observed from the end of the month of March. Bold variety of pulse was more susceptible for infestation as compared to the smaller one. Significant growth of insect population was observed from end of the month of March to October. Population growth was found to be increased with the increasing temperature and RH %. Average no. of eggs emerged was more at higher parental population. Maximum Average number of eggs laid /female was found to be 78.8-85.4 in pulses of present study at atmospheric temperature Min. 23.60C-320C Max. 33.60C-33.70C and RH 62%. Maximum growth of insect population was observed during Rainy season when temperature varies from min- 23.60C-25.90C and max 33.60C-33.70C and RH 62%-71%