Callosobruchus Maculatus: An Abiotic Enemy to Pigeon Pea Productivity
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Date
2025
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IJSRT
Abstract
The cowpea (pigeon pea) weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus, is a significant pest of stored pulses, particularly affecting
crops like cowpea and pigeon pea in tropical and subtropical regions. This review examines the biology, life cycle, and
the damaging effects of C. maculatus on stored pigeon pea grains. The insect undergoes a holometabolous life cycle,
with rapid development influenced by temperature and humidity, which allows for multiple generations during a single
storage season. The damage caused by C. maculatus includes direct feeding on seeds, resulting in weight loss, reduced
seed viability, and compromised nutritional quality, along with contamination from insect frass and remains, further
degrading the grains' marketability and safety. The economic impact is substantial, particularly in regions where pigeon
peas are a staple crop, affecting food security and farmers' livelihoods. Control measures for C. maculatus include a
combination of cultural, physical, chemical, and biological strategies. These include proper storage practices, the use
of inert materials like diatomaceous earth, irradiation, low temperature treatments, and chemical controls, each with
their advantages and limitations. Integrated pest management, utilizing multiple strategies, is essential for effective
control and minimizing losses.
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Citation
Athanas Alexander Katoo*, Mathew Ngugi, Stephen Gitahi, Callosobruchus Maculatus: An Abiotic Enemy to Pigeon Pea Productivity, Int. J. Sci. R. Tech., 2025, 2 (3), 483-487. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15085157