SUSCEPTIBILITY OF SOME EGYPTIAN LEGUME VARIETIES TO THE INFESTATION WITH THE COWPEA BEETLE, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (COLEOPTERA: BRUCHIDAE).

The present investigation is carried out to evaluate the relative susceptibility of eight legume varieties to the infestation with the cowpea beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). The loss in grain weight and the percentage of infested grains were determined in choice and force infestation tests. The obtained results, either in the choice or non-choice infestation tests, indicated that, none of the tested varieties were completely resistant against the attack by the pest but their susceptibility to the infestation varied considerably. Regardless of legume variety, cowpea varieties showed high susceptibility to the infestation by C. maculatus. While, faba bean and lentil varieties were the least ones and chickpea varieties were found to be inbetween. Cowpea variety (Dokki 331) was the most susceptible variety resulted in an average infestation level of 90.33%, and a maximum weight loss of 15.29 g/100 g seeds. However, lentil variety (Giza 370) was the least susceptible one with an average infestation level of 2.33%, and a minimum weight loss of 2.99 g/100 g. seeds. A significant positive correlation was found between the infestation of grains and weight loss (r= 0.94** - 0.98**).