Principle Investigator: Dr. Gadi V.P. Reddy Project personnel: Ramadevi L. Gadi, Govinda Shrestha

Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, 9546 Old Shelby Rd., P.O. Box 656, Conrad, MT 59425, USA

Aim of the Study

The aim of this study is to survey for determining the pea weevil, Bruchus pisorum (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) population distribution, abundance and pea damage assessment for Montana.

 

A graphical image of the pea weevil life cycle.

Fig. Pea weevil life cycle and their management strategy

 

Materials and Methods (Proposed)

Survey of pea weevil

Twenty pea field sites and six grain elevators (Chinook/Harlem, Choteau, Conrad South, Tiber/Rudyard, Fort Benton and Havre) will be selected in Hi-Line and North Central areas of Montana for the survey of pea weevil. A sample of 2,000 seeds from the plots and elevators will be collected every two weeks from May 2017 to May 2018. Also, 100 sweep nets in each field will be carried out before to the blooming stage during spring. The samples will be analyzed in the laboratory for damage and different life stages of the pea weevil.

 

Assessment of damage distribution and abundance

The number of peas with exit holes and immature stages (egg, larvae, pupae and adult) will be counted from the samples from different locations in the laboratory. Damage levels will be assessed based on the scoring system. 0=no damage; 1= slight damage (less than 5%); 2= moderate damage (5-20%); 3= heavy damage (more than 20%).

 

Relationship between damage and weevil numbers

The intention is to identify a relationship (correlation) between damage levels and weevil numbers. Pearson’s correlation analysis - determine, whether or not, there is a significant correlation between damage levels and weevil number for both sampling periods, and in all damage categories. Data will also include damage levels on different pea varieties, grown at different locations.

 

Mass rearing of pea weevil in the laboratory

The immature stages of the pea weevil will be collected from the field and grain bins. Mass reared in the laboratory to help in conducting further studies.

 

Results

Currently, there is no any results for this study, except a newsletter published in Trader dispatch (see below). The full article will be found on this following link- http://agresearch.montana.edu/wtarc/fielddays- pdf/2016TradersDispatch5.pdf

A black and white article.

Fig. Article published in Trader dispatch

Acknowledgement

This project is funded by “The USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council and American Pulse Association”.