Effect of Plant Oils on Biology,of Collosobruchus Analis Fab: Effect of Plant Oils on Development Stages of Pulse Beetle, Callosobruchus Analis (Fab.) in Green Gram

Pulses belong to family Leguminous and are excellent and an inexpensive source of plant protein. Pulses are major sources of dietary protein in vegetarian diet in our country. Besides being a rich source of protein, they maintain soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation in soil and thus play a vital role in furthering sustainable agriculture. The pulses are attacked by the pulse beetles in the storages i.e, Callosobruchus chinesis and Callosobruchus analis. Among these Callosobruchus analis attack more on Mung. The pulse beetle, Callosobruchus analis (Fabricius) Coleoptera: Bruchidae)is the pest of mung (Vigna radiata)and other pulses. Both the larvae and the adults cause damage. The larva is recognized by its creamy-white, oval, flabby body. The adult is an oval beetle, somewhat smaller than C. chinensis. The female is chocolate with a black trapezoidal area surrounding by white streaks on the three sides. The male is uniformly chocolate with a tinge of straw. The young larva on emergence bores into the grain and feeds entire contents. Most favourable grain moisture range for storage insect pests is from 12 to 18 percent.