(Callosobruchus maculatus)
Credits: Biovision-Infonet
(c) Peter Credland. Reproduced from the Crop Protection Compendium, 2006 Edition.
(c) F. Haas, icipe
Cowpea bruchids (Callosobruchus spp.) are the most common and widespread insect pests in storage. Adults are 2 to 3.5 mm long. They are major pests of pulses (cowpeas, pigeon peas, soybean, green gram and lentils). They attack both pods in the field and seeds in storage. They attack nearly mature and dry pods. Infested stored seeds can be recognised by the round exit holes and the white eggs on the seed surface. Post-harvest losses are highly variable, but losses can be over 90%.
It is a serious storage insect, which can destroy whole seed-lots.
What to do:
- Dry grains to moisture level below 13%.
- Store grains in dry, well ventilated areas.