Inheritance of the ability of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to feed and breed on yellow split-pea (Pisum sativum)

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Abstract
Sitophilus oryzae (L.) is a pest of stored cereals and, because most populations are unable to survive on yellow split-pea and other legumes, admixture of legume with cereal has been suggested as a control method. However, some geographical strains have been found able to feed and breed on yellow split-pea. The ability is heritable and known to be controlled in one strain by a single recessive, autosomal gene. The inheritance pattern of the ability was investigated in three different geographical strains, two of which could feed and breed on yellow split-pea and one which could not. The genetic mechanism controlling the character in these strains was not a simple recessive allele, but differed between the two pea-breeding strains and was co-dominant with the inability to feed on yellow split-pea inthe non-pea-breeding strain. The results indicate there is considerable between-strain genetic variability for the character, which may render cereal-legume mixture of little value as a control method against S. oryzae.