Germination-facilitation
Guides
Bruchus loti
Bruchus loti is a seed-feeding beetle in the family Chrysomelidae that primarily attacks seeds of Lathyrus japonicus, a legume species. Its larvae bore through hard seed coats to consume seed contents, a behavior that can enhance germination by breaking seed dormancy. However, heavy consumption by unparasitised larvae reduces seed survival. The species is subject to parasitism by at least two idiobiont parasitoid wasp species, Pteromalus sp. and Dinarmus sp., which indirectly benefit the plant by reducing larval feeding intensity and improving seed germination outcomes.