Growth and development of khapra beetle,Trogoderma granariumEverts (Col., Dermestidae) on pulses

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Abstract
Rearing experiments with Trogoderma granarium Everts were conducted to determine why the larvae fail to develop in certain pulses. The larvae were unable to penetrate whole grains of any of the nine pulses tested. In flour form, the pulses fell into three main groups. On flours of green, black, Bengal and kabuli grams, and cowpea and pigeon pea, development was as successful and rapid, or nearly so, as on wheat flour and showed little improvement from the addition of yeast. Development on flours of soybean and lentil was markedly slower, and showed marked improvement when yeast was added. By adding increased proportions of balanced diet, it was shown that the performance of larvae on soybean, lentil and even on French bean flours could be improved, but with the last two was not as good as with cellulose. It is concluded that lentils and French beans lack essential nutrients and may also contain a growth inhibitor.