The Ecology of Bruchids Attacking Legumes (Pulses) : Proceedings of the International Symposium Held at Tours (France), April 16–19, 1980

As editor of this volume I am not going to emphasize the economic im­ portance of the Bruchids of pulses, nor how necessary it is to know the conditions of infestation of crops in order to achieve an efficient protection; both points are testified by F.A.O.'s sponsorship, as well as of the International Organization for Biological Control. On the other hand I would like to stress the scientific interest of the study of 'domestic' bruchids. It raises questions which require that present basic entomological knowledge be extended. I am not going to review all questions raised but I will emphasize those I am most aware of. Some bruchid species have been able to colonize habitats differing totally; some differing in their latitude, and thus their basic periodicities; others differing in their degree of complexity (stocks of seeds): What are the respective roles played by polymorphism and plasticity in that exceptional capacity? What differences are there between the populations living on wild plants in dispersal areas and those living in stocks? What are the alterations brought about by the drastic selection pressures in populations having later colonized habitats ecologically similar to the original habitats? What factors determine the degree of specificity of trophic relationships, and the possibilities of extension of the niche? What influences are exerted by the other elements of the original bio­ cenoses upon the behavioural evolution of these species? Such are a few fundamental problems that can be tackled directly through Front Matter....Pages I-XIV Ecological Problems Arising from Weevil Infestation of Food Legumes....Pages 1-15 Univoltine and Multivoltine Cycles....Pages 17-22 The Bean Weevil Populations from the Acanthoscelides Obtectus Say. Group Living on Wild or Subspontaneous Phaseolus Vulgaris L. and Phaseolus Coccineus L. and on Phaseolus Vulgaris L. Cultivated in the Tepoztlan Region State of Morelos — Mexico....Pages 23-41 Some Ecological Factors Affecting Diapause in Adults of Acanthoscelides Obtectus from Mexican Mountains....Pages 43-55 Importance of Allelochemics in Plant Insect Relations....Pages 57-60 The Role of Sense Organs in the Relations between Bruchids and Their Host Plants....Pages 61-72 Relations of Acanthoscelides with Their Plant Hosts....Pages 73-81 First Data on Bruchidae Which Attack the Pods of Legumes in Upper Volta of Which Eight Species are Man Consumed....Pages 83-96 Role of Allelochemics in the Specialisation of Trophic Relations between Bruchis and Legumes....Pages 97-100 Feeding, Longevity and Reproduction of Adults of Acanthoscelides Obtectus Say in Laboratory Conditions....Pages 101-111 Some Data on the Reproductive Activity of Zabrotes Subfasciatus in the Laboratory....Pages 113-123 Trophic Relations and Ecological Status of the Adults of Bruchus Pisorum L. and Allied Field Species of Bruchidae (Coleoptera)....Pages 125-129 Evolution of Spatial Pattern of Attacks by Acanthoscelides Obtectus Say (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) of Phaseolus Vulgaris L. Pods in South West France....Pages 131-141 Polymorphism and Phase Dimorphism in Callosobruchus ....Pages 143-147 Reproductive Polymorphism of Populations of Acanthoscelides Obtectus from Different Colombian Ecosystems....Pages 149-164 Influence of the Tegument of Phaseolus Vulgaris Seeds and of Larval Density on the Development of Acanthoscelides Obtectus Say....Pages 165-174 Polymorphism and Ecological Reactions in Callosobruchus Maculatus F. (Coleoptera, Bruchidae) in Upper Volta....Pages 175-184 The Use of Resistant Varieties of Cowpeas ( Vigna Unguiculata ) to Reduce Losses Due to Post-Harvest Attack by Callosobruchus Maculatus ....Pages 185-192 Bruchidae Related to Grain Legumes in the Afro-Tropical Area....Pages 193-197 Distribution, Ecology and Importance of Bruchids Attacking Grain Legumes and Pulses in Africa....Pages 199-203 Observations on the Ecology of Bruchidius Atrolineatus Pic. and Callosobruchus Maculatus F (Coleoptera, Bruchidae) in Niger....Pages 205-213 Distribution and Importance of Bruchid Attacks on Different Species of Pulses Consumed in the Near East....Pages 215-221 The Parasites of Bruchids....Pages 223-229 Conclusions and Recommendations....Pages 231-233 Proceedings of the International Symposium held at Tours, France, 16-19 April, 1980