Comparative toxicity of phosphine to developmental stages of three Callosobruchus species infesting stored pulses

Bruchids pose serious threat to stored pulses, and their successful management largely depends on phosphine fumigation. For the first time, the comparative assessment of phosphine toxicity to all the developmental stages of three bruchid species in India was attempted at varied concentrations and exposure times. Based on probit estimates, the egg stages found to be least sensitive to phosphine followed by pupae and larvae, whereas adults were highly sensitive. Among the age groups of eggs, the early age groups (0–2 days old) were less sensitive than later stages (3–6 days old). The bruchid species viz., Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), C. analis (F.), and C. chinensis L. exhibited a variable degree of susceptibility irrespective of life stages and exposure periods tested. However, the collective probit estimates indicated C. maculatus being slightly less sensitive followed by C. analis and C. chinensis. Except in 0–2 day old eggs, the mortality response in 3–6 day old eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults was increased with increasing phospine concentrations and exposure period. The mortality response got even steeper at 48 and 72 h exposures as evident by decreasing LC50 and LC90 values. The information generated on phospine sensitivity in different life stages would serve as baseline data to design insecticide resistance studies in future and also to ascertain stage-specific Concentration vs. time (Ct) products for the recommendation of phosphine doses for successful management of bruchids during any of their life stages under storage conditions.