Effect of Different Chickpea Varieties on Development of the Pulse Beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis (L.)

Studies conducted on growth and development of the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis ( L.) on 11 chickpea varieties in Department of Entomology, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pantnagar during June- September, 2014 revealed that the fecundity of the pulse beetle female varied significantly on different chickpea varieties, minimum being on PBG 1 (59.0 eggs/100 seeds ) and maximum on PKG 1 (81.0 eggs/100 seeds). The development period for eggs (5.33-7.0 days), larva (17.0-18.67 days) and pupa (5.67-7.33 days) on different varieties did not differ significantly however, significant variation in the total development period from eggs to adult (28.67- 32.33 days) was recorded in different varieties. Similarly the growth index of the pulse beetle varied significantly on various varieties (0.52-0.71). The results of study showed that the chickpea variety PKG 1 was most suitable for growth and development of the pulse beetle.