Pulse-crop-pest
Guides
Bruchus
seed beetles, bean beetles, bean weevils
Bruchus is a genus of seed beetles in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae, comprising approximately 36 species. The genus is characterized by distinctive male genitalia morphology, including a large, sclerotized, boomerang-shaped ventral plate used in species identification. Members are specialized herbivores feeding almost exclusively on legumes in the tribe Fabeae (Vicieae), including peas, lentils, and vetches. Several species are significant agricultural pests, notably B. lentis on lentils, B. pisorum on peas, and B. rufimanus on fava beans. The genus is primarily Palearctic in distribution, with some species introduced to North America, Africa, and Australia.
Bruchus brachialis
Vetch Bruchid
Bruchus brachialis, the vetch bruchid, is a univoltine seed beetle specialized on vetch (Vicia spp.). Adults emerge from overwintering sites in spring, feed on vetch flowers and pollen, and oviposit on developing pods. Larvae complete development within seeds, with new adults emerging to briefly feed before entering summer aestivation. The species shows tight phenological synchronization with host plant flowering and seed development. It occurs across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America, and is recognized as an agricultural pest of pulse crops.
Bruchus pisorum
pea weevil, pea beetle, pea seed beetle
Bruchus pisorum is a seed beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly but incorrectly known as the pea weevil due to historical taxonomic confusion with true weevils (Curculionidae). It is a significant agricultural pest of cultivated pea (Pisum sativum), with larvae developing inside pea seeds. The species is now cosmopolitan in distribution, having spread from its native range in Western Asia through human-mediated transport in stored seeds. It is univoltine, with adults overwintering and emerging in spring to infest pea crops.
Sitona lineatus
pea leaf weevil, pea weevil, bean weevil
Sitona lineatus is an invasive weevil pest of pulse crops, particularly field pea (Pisum sativum) and faba bean (Vicia faba). Native to Europe and North Africa, it has established populations in western Canadian prairie provinces and is expanding southward into the northern United States. Adults feed on foliage, while larvae develop underground feeding on root nodules and Rhizobium bacteria. The species exhibits distinct spring and late-summer flight periods tied to temperature thresholds, with spring migration from overwintering sites driving crop colonization. Economic impacts include yield reductions up to 28% through combined foliar and root damage.