The damage caused by the bean bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus
(Fabricius) on eight different legume seeds on sale in Awka and Onitsha
markets in Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria, were studied between
January and April, 2008. Clean legume seeds purchased from local markets
were screened to remove previous infestations. Laboratory reared strain of
bruchids from local markets were used to infest the legumes. Samples of 200g
weights of different legume seeds were artificially infested with the weevils at
different male: female ratios. Six different legume seeds out of the eight used
were attacked by the weevils. Emergence holes and weight loss were the
observed effects to the seeds. The highest number and percentage of exit
holes and weight loss were observed in legumes challenged with bruchids at
higher male: female ratios.