CASSIA TORA SEED AS AN ALTERNATE HOST FOR CALLOSOBRUCHUS SUBINNOTATUS (COLEOPTERA: BRUCHIDAE) IN STORED BAMBARANUT

Abstract

The study was aimed to determine the possibility of C. subinnotatus as an alternate pest attacking cassia tora seed. An infested C. tora seed were collected from Soro market in Ganjuwa LGA in Bauchi state. A fresh C. tora seed were sorted and transferred into an earthen clay pot. Thereafter, weevils were transferred into the earthen clay pot. After two weeks, dead and live parent stocks were completely sieved out to await the adult emergence. A fresh uninfected Bambara ground nut seeds were fumigated for 48 hours spread on a clean polythene mat covered with baft cloth to remove any residual effect of the fumigant and to exclude reinfestation. 10 pairs of laboratory reared F₂ generation of C. subinnatatus were introduced into the treated and untreated Bambara nut seeds already contained in plastic jars. The top of plastic jars was covered with a fine muslin cloth and kept at room temperature (29 – 32^oC) in the laboratory and observation on oviposition, adult emergence, number of exit hole was made for one month. Oviposition, adult emergence, number of exit hole was of observed on Bambara ground nut seed. The result showed Sharp, a small, round punctured holes were observed on the surface of Bambara ground nut. The eggs were singly laid inside the seeds. Upon hatching, the first instar larva exits through the seeds and hover around the seed cotyledons and turning it into a mass of reddish colour suggesting that farmers should avoid storing Bambara ground nut in a place where there is infested Cassia tora seeds.