Studies on biology of a field bruchid, Bruchidius albizziae (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) infesting seeds of Acacia Catechu Willd

Bruchids are seed borers and attack on wild leguminous hosts in field and the edible legumes in stores. All the known beetles of family Bruchidae feed on seeds of 34 families of kingdom Plantae and about 80% of them feed on the seeds belonging to family Fabaceae. Bruchids attacking green pods of wild legumes are usually univoltine, has specific but long developmental period and life span. These are generally referred as field bruchids. Field studies on the biology of Bruchidius albizziae Arora (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) on the pods of Acacia catechu Willd revealed that the heavy seed infestation occurred from early March to second week of April, 2014. The study on biology of B. albizziae on seed pods indicated 7.0±1.49 days oviposition period, 6.5±1.08 days incubation period, larval period 39.7±2.33 days while pupal period was 6.4±1.17 days. The adult longevity for male was 10.9 ± 1.66 days where as for female 12.7 ± 2.49 days. The total developmental period was 48.2 ± 4.15 days. Along with the emergence of adult bruchids, a larval parasitoid, Entedon albiziarum Rasplus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Entedontinae) has also been recorded. This bio-controlling agent plays an important role in the suppression of pest population in the field.