Comparative studies on the Biology of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) on Soya beans and Bambara Groundnut

Abstract

Two leguminous crops Soya beans and Bambara groundnut were infested with Callosobruchus maculatus using different quantities. The experiment was conducted in the Biological Sciences laboratory, University of Maiduguri. Completely Randomized Design with three replicates was used to compare the level of infestation by C. maculatus on Soya beans and Bambara groundnut using different quantities. The results showed that significantly (P=0.05) more eggs where laid on Soya beans than Bambara groundnut. Consequently, the number of adults that emerged from Bambara groundnut significantly (P=0.05) outnumbered those on Soya beans. It is clear from the experiment that Bambara groundnut is more prone to attack by C. maculatus as compared to Soya beans. By the emergence of many adults from Bambara groundnut, it showed that the produce is infested by C. maculatus which results to weight loss and decreased germination potential of the seed.