Resistance in cowpea cultivars to Bruchidius atrolineatus (PIC) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae)

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to assess the resistance in cowpea cultivars to Bruchidius atrolineatus (Pic) attack. The experiment was conducted at the Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias of Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Jaboticabal (SP). The following cultivars were used: BR17 Gurgueia, BR3 Tracuateua, BRS Novaera, Sempre Verde, BRS Milênio, and BRS Urubuquara. The non-preference test without choice evaluated the number of viable eggs, unviable and total posed by insects in grains, after 25 days of confinement. In addition, it was observed, in a daily basis, the total dry matter consumed and dry matter consumed per insect; male and female mass; male, female and total egg-adult cycle length; male and female longevity; sex ratio; number of emerged insects and percentage of emerged insects. The non-preference test with free choice evaluated the number of viable, unviable and total eggs and adult attractiveness after 24 hours and seven days of release. Sempre Verde cultivar was the least preferred for oviposition in the test without choice and showed lower number and percentage of emerged insects. BRS Milênio had the lowest total dry mass consumed and dry mass consumed per insect.