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Bruchus rufimanus (Boheman)
Insecta, Coleoptera, Bruchidae .

Bean beetle

Description, Biology, Life Cycle, Damage, Common Names, Images

[R]Description
- Adult: 3.5 to 5 mm. Prothorax a little shorter than wide, anterior legs entirely yellow, middle and posterior legs black. Posterior tibias bearing a long spike on the internal angle. Pale grey pygidium, reddish white pronotum (*) .
- Egg: 0.6 mm long, greenish yellow.
- Larva: the 2nd-instar larva reaches 5 to 6 mm once its development is complete; arched, apodous, brown head, ivory white body.

[R]Biology
- Relatively polyphagous beetle, attacks broad bean but also pea and bean.
- After hibernation, the adult flies towards the host crops, consuming the pollen and the petals. After a few days, it mates. The female lays its eggs singly on the pods.
- Egg: embryonic development lasts on average 13 days.
- Larva: once it has hatched, the 1st-instar larva enters the pod, penetrates a seed, then moults into a 2nd-instar larva. Larval growth lasts 3 months after which the larva cuts a circular operculum in the grain's wall which will enable the adult to emerge (*) , and then pupates.
- Pupa: pupation lasts 10 to 15 days.

[R]Life Cycle
- Univoltine beetle.
- The most precocious beetles abandon the seeds once the plants start to ripen or when crops dry in the fields, and then hibernate in various kinds of shelter; the slower-developing individuals remain in the seeds until the next spring. Activity resumes, in France, at the end of May.

[R]Damage
The presence of beetles in the seeds of broad beans, peas or beans renders them unsuitable for consumption, reduces the germination rate of the sowings and presents a risk of re-infestation of crops. One broad bean can harbour 5 to 6 individuals.

[R]Common Names
DE: Pferdebohnenkäfer, Ackerbohnenkäfer ES: Gorgojo del haba FR: Bruche de la fève IT: Tonchio della fava PT: Gorgulho da fava GB: Bean beetle

[R] Images

  1. Bruchus rufimanus Boheman (Coutin R. / OPIE)
    Adult emerging from an attacked bean
  2. Bruchus rufimanus Boheman (Coutin R. / OPIE)
    Damage on field bean seeds The adults emergence holes are visible.
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