Bruchus affinis

Frölich, 1799

seed beetle

Bruchus affinis is a to the western Palaearctic Region, first recorded in North America in Canada (British Columbia, Ontario, Québec) before 2007. It was likely via imported Lathyrus seeds for planting. The develops inside seeds of Lathyrus species, with feeding on pollen and nectar. Development from to adult requires approximately 60 days. The Dinarmus basalis has been recorded causing about 10% mortality in Canadian .

Bruchus affinis by Simon Hinkley & Ken Walker, Museum Victoria. Used under a CC BY 3.0 au license.Bruchus affinis Froelich, 1799 by URSchmidt. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Bruchus affinis (2007-05-27) by Entomart. Used under a Attribution license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Bruchus affinis: /ˈbruː.kus əˈfɪ.nɪs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

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Habitat

Gardens, roadsides, and field edges with flowering Lathyrus plants. Associated with Lathyrus latifolius and L. sylvestris vines.

Distribution

to western Palaearctic Region. in North America with established in Canada: British Columbia (Vancouver), Ontario (Ottawa), and Québec (Gatineau, Wakefield, Laval, Montréal, Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot). Earliest Canadian record from 2007.

Seasonality

Lathyrus flowering begins mid-June; occurs late June; first emerge late August. Overwinters as adult in .

Diet

feed on pollen and nectar of Lathyrus . develop inside seeds of Lathyrus latifolius, L. sylvestris, and other Lathyrus species. Adults require pollen of L. latifolius or L. sylvestris to terminate sexual and commence .

Host Associations

  • Lathyrus latifolius - primary larval ; pollen source for terminationeverlasting pea
  • Lathyrus sylvestris - primary larval ; pollen source for terminationnarrow-leaved everlasting pea
  • Lathyrus grandiflorus - potential larval
  • Lathyrus tuberosus - potential larval
  • Vicia faba - minor broad bean; impacts expected to be small
  • Vicia sp. - potential

Life Cycle

. hatch approximately 10 days after . Development from egg to requires about 60 days. Pupal stages occur inside seeds. Overwinters as adult in sexual .

Behavior

exhibit sexual that is terminated by feeding on specific pollen (Lathyrus latifolius or L. sylvestris). Females lay on newly formed pods without regard to seed availability or existing egg . perforate pods to reach ovules; multiple larvae may enter the same ovule but only one develops per seed. Not a pest of stored products; does not infest dried seeds.

Ecological Role

Seed that reduces reproductive output in infested Lathyrus . Host for Dinarmus basalis (), which causes approximately 10% mortality. Potential agent for Lathyrus . Impact on North Lathyrus species remains unknown.

Human Relevance

to North America via commercial seed trade. Expected to have minimal impact on broad bean (Vicia faba) production. Potential for of Lathyrus .

Similar Taxa

  • Other Bruchus speciesRequires examination of and associations for definitive identification; B. affinis specifically associated with Lathyrus hosts
  • Bruchus rufimanusBroad bean with similar ; B. affinis distinguished by preference and structure

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Sources and further reading