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This study was carried out to determine the seed beetle species in vetch cultivating areas their infestation rates, and weight loss in vetch seeds in the 17 villages of Eleşkirt district of Ağrı province in 2019-2020. Seed beetle adults were collected from common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica Crantz.) by sweeping net. In addition, they were obtained by culturing the vetch seeds harvested from the fields. As a result of the study, 10 species belonging to the genera Bruchidius Schilsky, 1905 (1 species), Bruchus Linnaeus, 1767 (6 species), and Spermophagus Schoenherr, 1833 (3 species) of subfamily Bruchinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) were identified. Bruchus affinis J. A. Frölich 1799 and Spermophagus calystegiae (Lukjanovitch & Ter-Minassian 1957) are first found in the Eleşkirt district. Among the 5.887 adult individuals collected, the most dominant species were Bruchus brachialis Fåhraeus 1839 (52.03%) and Bruchus rufimanus Boheman 1833 (43.49%). The infestation rate and weight loss in vetch seeds were found as 1.03% and 0.51%, respectively.

Seed weevils ( spp.) are major pests of faba bean, causing yield losses, and affecting marketability. Our objective was to identify stable sources of resistance to seed weevil attacks, determine the climatic factors that most influenced its incidence and its relationship with some phenological and agronomic traits. The accessions \"BOBICK ROD115,\" \"CÔTE D'OR,\" \"221516,\" and \"NOVA GRADISKA\" showed increased resistance to penetration and development of larvae. Other accessions such as \"QUASAR,\" \"109.669,\" and \"223303\" exhibited resistance to larval development. The results of this work suggest the presence of different defense mechanisms to seed weevils in faba bean, which in the future could be introgressed in elite cultivars to create resistant varieties and contribute to more sustainable agriculture with less need for pesticides. The temperature, rainfall, and humidity seemed to be the climatic factors most influencing faba bean seed weevil attack while the precocity and the small weight of the seeds were correlated with lower infestation rates in the different experiments.

Little resistance to the pea weevil insect pest (Bruchus pisorum) is available in pea (Pisum sativum) cultivars, highlighting the need to search for sources of resistance in Pisum germplasm and to decipher the genetic basis of resistance. To address this need, we screened the response to pea weevil in a Pisum germplasm collection (324 accession, previously genotyped) under field conditions over four environments. Significant variation for weevil seed infestation (SI) was identified, with resistance being frequent in P. fulvum, followed by P. sativum ssp. elatius, P. abyssinicum, and P. sativum ssp. humile. SI tended to be higher in accessions with lighter seed color. SI was also affected by environmental factors, being favored by high humidity during flowering and hampered by warm winter temperatures and high evapotranspiration during and after flowering. Merging the phenotypic and genotypic data allowed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) yielding 73 markers significantly associated with SI. Through the GWAS models, 23 candidate genes were found associated with weevil resistance, highlighting the interest of five genes located on chromosome 6. These included gene 127136761 encoding squalene epoxidase; gene 127091639 encoding a transcription factor MYB SRM1; gene 127097033 encoding a 60S ribosomal protein L14; gene 127092211, encoding a BolA-like family protein, which, interestingly, was located within QTL BpLD.I, earlier described as conferring resistance to weevil in pea; and gene 127096593 encoding a methyltransferase. These associated genes offer valuable potential for developing pea varieties resistant to Bruchus spp. and efficient utilization of genomic resources through marker-assisted selection (MAS).

Pea weevil ( Bruchus pisorum ) is a damaging insect pest affecting pea ( Pisum sativum ) production worldwide. No resistant cultivars are available, although some levels of incomplete resistance have been identified in Pisum germplasm. To decipher the genetic control underlying the resistance previously identify in P. sativum ssp. syriacum , a recombinant inbred line (RIL F 8:9 ) population was developed. The RIL was genotyped through Diversity Arrays Technology PL’s DArTseq platform and screened under field conditions for weevil seed infestation and larval development along 5 environments. A newly integrated genetic linkage map was generated with a subset of 6,540 markers, assembled into seven linkage groups, equivalent to the number of haploid pea chromosomes. An accumulated distance of 2,503 cM was covered with an average density of 2.61 markers cM −1 . The linkage map allowed the identification of three QTLs associated to reduced seed infestation along LGs I, II and IV. In addition, a QTL for reduced larval development was also identified in LGIV. Expression of these QTLs varied with the environment, being particularly interesting QTL BpSI.III that was detected in most of the environments studied. This high-saturated pea genetic map has also allowed the identification of seven potential candidate genes co-located with QTLs for marker-assisted selection, providing an opportunity for breeders to generate effective and sustainable strategies for weevil control.

Bruchus rufimanus, a univoltine seed weevil (bruchid), can cause severe seed yield and quality losses in faba beans restricting crop profitability and expansion. Chemical insecticide applications have been reported of low effectiveness and thus, growing genotypes tolerant to bruchid has been suggested as an alternative. Ten faba bean (Viciafaba L.) accessions belonging to three varieties (var. major (seven accessions), var. minor (two accessions), var. equina (one accession)) were tested under field conditions for two growing seasons. Agronomic and seed traits were determined in an attempt to associate any tolerance to bruchid with easily-assessible, highly-heritable characters in order to be used as indirect selection criteria. The genotypes varied in bruchid tolerance (percentage of bruchid emergence holes (BD), percentage of endoparasitoid (Triaspis thoracica) emergence holes and bruchid infestation level (BI = BD + PD)), agronomic traits and seed properties. The dark-colored, small- and medium-seeded accessions (var. minor and var. equina), commonly used for feed, had the lowest BI (4.21–8.17%) ranging below the limit of 10% set as the highest acceptable for using faba beans as feed. Large-seeded accessions (var. major), which had light-colored seed coat (testa) with yellow hue, showed BI from 11.80% up to 24.54%, far-above the limit of 3% for seeds used as food. Apart from the seed size and color, susceptible genotypes had more seeds per pod, less pods and less branches per plant, possibly offering an easy access to females for laying more eggs on the limited number of pods, albeit the more space and food (higher protein content per seed) they offer to the developing larvae. Phenols and tannins in seeds, a putative chemical defense mechanism against bruchid, did not associate with the percentage of bruchid- or endoparasitoid-damaged seeds. Concluding, certain plant architectural traits and seed properties related to bruchid infestation in faba beans can be used as useful tools to select tolerant genotypes.

The development of Bruchus rufimanus was assessed in randomised field trials from 2005 to 2007 with eight faba bean genotypes (SU 5/13, SU-BT, Mistral, Merkur, Stabil Merlin, Melodie, Divine). Significant differences, reproducible between the years, were found between the faba bean lines. The varieties most attractive to B. rufimanus ovipositing females were SU-BT and Divine. Merkur showed a certain level of non-preference. The highest mortality rates of eggs and first instar larvae in pod valve tissues were recorded in Merkur (34–45%) and Divine (51–55%). The highest mortality rates of larvae and pupae during their development in seeds (effect of seed coat and cotyledon tissues) were recorded in Merkur (87–90%) and Melodie (87–99%). Parasitation by Triaspis thoracicus contributed to this mortality. The highest levels of B. rufimanus parasitation were found in SU-BT (32–35%), the lowest in Melodie (3–9%). The total reduction in Bruchus rufimanus individuals during their development was relatively high in all varieties, ranging from 72% to 99%.

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF)-based biopesticides have attracted growing interest in pest management as alternatives to neurotoxic insecticides. Their potential was evaluated against various pests, including the broad bean weevil (Bruchus rufimanus Boheman 1833), a significant threat to faba bean (Vicia faba L.) crops. This study examined the entomotoxic effects and sublethal impacts (on oviposition) of three fungal strains under laboratory conditions: Beauveria bassiana (GHA), Metarhizium brunneum (USDA 4556), and M. brunneum (V275) on B. rufimanus adults. Subsequently, a large-scale field trial assessed the efficacy of B. bassiana (GHA) against B. rufimanus infestations using conventional anti-drift and dropleg spraying methods. The laboratory LT50 values ranged from four days for B. bassiana to eight days for M. brunneum (V275). The mortality rates recorded after ten days ranged from 86.6% for M. brunneum (V275) to 96.6% for B. bassiana (GHA). The inhibition of oviposition rates ranged from 12% for M. brunneum (USDA 4556) to 36% for B. bassiana (GHA). Field trials showed that the dropleg nozzles targeted faba bean pods, the oviposition sites of B. rufimanus, more effectively than the anti-drift nozzles. However, both fungal and chemical treatments applied via dropleg nozzles offered limited protection, reducing the infestation rates by 7% and 14%, respectively, with only a 3% improvement over anti-drift nozzles. This suggests that the large-scale spraying of chemical or fungal agents, including B. bassiana GHA, is not an optimal IPM strategy for managing B. rufimanus in faba beans. These laboratory and field results highlight the potential of EPF for managing B. rufimanus. However, the limitations of spray-applied plant protection methods underscore the need to redirect research toward more targeted strategies, such as attract-and-infect or endophytic EPF approaches.

A field experiment was conducted in Lithuania over three growing seasons (2021–2023) to evaluate the effects of sowing time, seeding rate, and insecticide application on grain damage caused by Bruchus rufimanus, as well as on grain yield and quality. The experiment included both insecticide-treated and untreated plots, along with three seeding rates and three sowing times. Early sowing resulted in the highest grain damage (46.5%), attributed to phenological synchronization with peak weevil oviposition, while late sowing reduced damage by 18.6%. Insecticide application significantly reduced grain damage and increased yield, though the extent of yield improvement depended on sowing time. Overall, seeding rate had minimal influence on yield and pest pressure, although significant variation in grain damage among seeding rates was observed in untreated plots in 2021. Crude protein content (CP) was unaffected by seeding rate but showed inter-annual variation, likely due to environmental conditions. At the optimal sowing time (late April), faba bean yield remained consistently high, and insecticide application had limited impact on yield improvement. Relatively low grain damage under these conditions suggests that insecticide use may be reduced or eliminated. These findings underscore the importance of integrating optimal sowing time with targeted insecticide application to maximize faba bean yield and minimize grain damage in Lithuania.

The paper investigates the distributions of legumes (Fabaceae) and their associated seed beetle species (Bruchinae) across vegetation zones and regions of Europe and evaluates the host range and specialization of seed beetles. 1584 legume species/subspecies/varieties were included in the study and ca. 16% of these serve as known hosts by the 175 seed beetle species found in Europe. Both plant and seed beetle species richness increased from the Boreal to Mediterranean zones/regions. 717 legume species occurred only in single zones/regions and only 4.7% of these (34 species) were hosts for 38 bruchine species specific to a zone/region. Europe has 664 native legume species and 381 of these are Eu-endemics. There were 52 alien legume species found. Similarities in plant species composition by the Sørensen index were pronounced between the Central-European and the Mediterranean, between the Transcaucasian and Mediterranean, and between the Colchis-Caucasian and the Pontic-Caspian areas. The most species-rich genus is Astragalus L. with 334 species and 16 subspecies. Of the two major pre-dispersal seed predator genera, Bruchidius Schilsky species are sensu lato oligophagous, using a wide range of leguminous tribes as hosts, but restricted to few host species within a tribe. In contrast, members of the Bruchus L. genus are sensu stricto oligophagous species and, despite being constrained to the Fabeae tribe, most of them feed on several Lathyrus L. and Vicia L. species. The ways annual and perennial life cycles as well as chemical constituents of legumes might affect the colonization success of the seed beetles are discussed.

Background Seed beetles are one of the most important causes of yield loss in bean production. It is essential to develop resistant varieties in the fight against these pests. Agrobacterium-based gene transformation is the most widely used breeding method worldwide to develop insect-resistant varieties. Methods and results Embryonic axes and plumule explants were obtained from Agrobacterium tumefciens treated mature zygotic embryos of low and high raw protein-based common bean cultivars Akman 98 and Karacaşehir 90. Agrobacterium tumefaciens contained a synthetic Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal crystal protein gene (Bt Cry1Ab) controlled by the 35S promoter and NOS terminator sequences. The transformation event was genotype and explant dependent. The plumule explants could not withstand kanamycin-based selection pressure and died. It was possible to get two transgenic plants using embryonic axis explants of low protein cultivar Akman 98. These results were validated using GUS analysis, PCR, RT-PCR, bioassay analysis, and ELISA test from the samples taken from T 0 and T 1 generations. Bioassay tests showed that these plants were protected from the damage of legume seed insects ( Bruchus spp.). Conclusions The results are very encouraging and may help in producing better transgenic common bean germplasm leading to safe agriculture and reducing environmental pollutions.