Comparison of life history and genetic properties of cowpea bruchid strains and their response to hypoxia

Weining Cheng, Jiaxin Lei, Charles W. Fox, J. Spencer Johnston, Keyan Zhu-Salzman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

The cowpea bruchid (Callosobruchus maculatus) is the most important storage pest of grain legumes and comprises geographically distinct strains. Storage under a modified atmosphere with decreased O2 content represents an alternative to chemical fumigants for pest control of stored grains. In this study, we compared reproduction, development and survival, as well as genome size of bruchid strains from South India (SI), Burkina Faso (BF), Niger (CmNnC) and the United States (OH), reared on mung bean (Vigna radiata). Fecundity and egg-to-adult duration varied significantly among these strains. Notably, strain BF had the highest fecundity, and strain SI displayed the fastest development whereas strain OH was the slowest. Differences in adult lifespan among strains were only detected in unmated but not in the mated group. Genome size of SI females was significantly larger than that of OH females, and for all four strains, the female genomes were larger than those of their corresponding males. Furthermore, we studied effects of exposure to 1% O2+99% N2 on strains SI and BF. Mortality caused by hypoxia was influenced by not only developmental stage but also by insect strain. Eggs were most sensitive, particularly at the early stage, whereas the 3rd and 4th instar larvae were most tolerant and could survive up to 15days of low O2. Strain SI was slightly more resistant than BF in egg and larval stages. Proteolytic activity prior to, during and after hypoxia treatment revealed remarkable metabolic plasticity of cowpea bruchids in response to modified atmosphere.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5-11
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Insect Physiology
Volume75
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd.

Keywords

  • Callosobruchus maculatus
  • Genome size
  • Modified atmosphere
  • Strains
  • Vigna radiata

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Insect Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Comparison of life history and genetic properties of cowpea bruchid strains and their response to hypoxia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this