Studies on biological control of the Bean-weevil (Bruchus chinensis L.) byApanteles flavipes (Cam.) (Hymen., Braconidae)

Abstract

Bean-weevil (Bruchus chinensis L.) is commonly found in Sind region of Pakistan and it severely damages Mong seeds (Phaseolus mungo L.), and some other pulses in storage conditions. The parasitoidApanteles flavipes (Cam.), a gregarious Braconid parasite of Bean-weevil was reared under laboratory conditions with a view to exploiting it for the biological control techniques to be reported for the first time in Pakistan. This parasite completes its whole life cycle inside the body of the host by completing a number of generations in a year, and it successfully parasitisesBruchus spp. larvae inside the seed body; and its life cycle entirely depends upon the environmental factors like temperature and humidity as well as on the physiological condition of the host. It parasitised upto 45% in field population and 83% under laboratory conditions.