~ 1076 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2016; 4(4): 1076-1083 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 JEZS 2016; 4(4): 1076-1083 © 2016 JEZS Received: 19-05-2016 Accepted: 20-06-2016 Farid Asif Shaheen Department of Entomology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Muhammad Waseem Akram Department of Entomology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Muhammad Aamir Rashid Department of Entomology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Muhammad Nadeem Department of Entomology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Muhammad Saeed Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Haripur, Pakistan. Mureed Husain Economic Entomology Research Unit, Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Khalid Mehmood Economic Entomology Research Unit, Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Correspondence Farid Asif Shaheen Department of Entomology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Biological control of pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Bruchidae: Coleoptera) in stored chickpea grains using entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana Balsamo Farid Asif Shaheen, Muhammad Waseem Akram, Muhammad Aamir Rashid, Muhammad Nadeem, Muhammad Saeed, Mureed Husain and Khalid Mehmood Abstract The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana was used as biological control agent to control pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis in chickpea grains at different temperatures. Five concentrations (1×10 6 , 1×10 7 , 1×10 8 , 1×10 9 and 1×10 10 spores/ml) of commercially available conidia of B. bassiana were prepared by adding the sterile 0.02% tween 80 in distilled water. Haemocytometer was used for counting spores. Mortality of pulse beetle was directly proportional to concentrations of B. bassiana. B. bassiana was less effective at 25 ºC as compared to 30 ºC. At 25 ºC, highest mortality was recorded at concentration of 1×10 10 spores/ml after 5, 10 and 15 days and vice versa. At 30 ºC, B. bassiana showed better results and all pulse beetles were died after 15 days at each concentration. This effective control strategy has significant contribution towards development of commercial microbial formulations of B. bassiana and is recommended to be a part of integrated pest management of pulse beetle. Keywords: Callosobruchus chinensis, Beauveria bassiana, mortality, concentrations and temperature 1. Introduction Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is the major leguminous grain crop and is cultivated on large scale in the rain-fed areas of the world including Pakistan, Europe, Syria, India, Spain, Mexico, Algeria, Iran, Australia and Turkey [1-3] . Its grains are highly nutritious having 25% protein, 45% starch, 6% crude fiber, 5% fat, 6% sugar, 3% ash, 0.19% calcium and other minerals and vitamins are up to 0.01% [4-6] . It is deliberated as a good source of lowering cholesterol level [7] . The chickpea is liable to both quantitative and qualitative losses in storages. Quantitative damage results loss in seed weight and qualitative loss decrease aesthetic and nutritional value [8] . Biological (insects, birds and rodents etc.) and physical (temperature, humidity and moisture etc.) factors are mainly responsible for such losses. Insects cause severe damages to stored grains, which are about 20-35% and 5-10% in tropical and temperate zones, respectively [9] . Temperature plays a vital role in the development of stored grain insect pests and high temperature is mostly used to manage them. Lethal high temperature is 40 ºC for most of the stored insects [10] . Lethal low temperature is also effective in controlling stored grain insect pests. At higher temperature, metabolism rate is increased and food reserves are decreased. At lower temperature, insect development is slow and fecundity is reduced [11] . Temperatures below 14 ºC are lethal to stored grain insects, however; their development and fecundity are at climax between 25 ºC to 30 ºC [12] . Many insect pests including lesser grain borer, red flour beetle, Grainary weevil damage chickpea in storages however, pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis L. is the most damaging one. Being cosmopolitan, it also damages lentil, cowpea, mung, sorghum and maize [13] . It enters inside grains by making holes and start feeding until full damage. Normally infestation starts in the field because adult beetles can easily fly and lay eggs on the chickpea pods. Infestation is caused by grubs as well as adults [14] . Male and female pulse beetles can easily be distinguished on the basis of their antennae. Males have pectinate and females have serrate antennae [15] . Its female is larger than male [16] . Normally 6-8 overlapping generations are observed in a year [17, 18] .