Bean weevil
Common pea weevil ( Bruchus pisorum )
The seed beetles ( Bruchinae ) are a subfamily of the leaf beetles ( Chrysomelidae ).
Description
The beetles are usually very small (less than 5 mm), brownish or gray and stocky. The elytra do not cover the entire abdomen and the head is extended a little trunk-like.
The larvae develop in the fruit of leguminous (Leguminosae ) (eg peas). The females lay their eggs in the ripening fruit, the larva with its powerful legs eats its way through the shell and develops inside the seed. After the first molt they changed completely, she has, among others, no legs. The finished beetle then emerges from the mature seeds.
The home in our species can invade any ripe fruit, this can only different introduced species. These can then be a problem in storage memories.
System
The seed beetles were originally considered as an independent family. Meanwhile, one makes them as a family to the leaf beetles. They are represented in Central Europe with seven genera and 30 species. In Europe, so far 145 species are known to be divided into seven tribes.
Family Bruchinae
- Spermophagus
- Zabrotes
- Acanthoscelides Edible bean beetle ( Acanthoscelides obtectus )
- Common pea weevil ( Bruchus pisorum )