so 



The life history is much the same as that of other store 

 forms. 



The forms described above are identified as species 

 in accordance with the description given by either Fab- 

 ricius or Chittenden. With regard to each, as has already 

 been stated, there is a very wide range in variation so that 

 forms undoubtedly allied to the typical representative of the 

 species may nevertheless be regarded as not belonging to it 

 unless proved to be so by actual rearing. There is little 

 reason to believe that the different species in the store 

 are able to cross and successfully reproduce ; but nothing 

 on this point can be definitely stated until more experi- 

 ments are carried out than has been done in the past. Until 

 this work is done— and it is being attempted in Mysore — the 

 identification of the species described above should be 

 regarded as only provisional. 



Summary. 



1 . There are no less than four species of Bruchids which 

 are responsible for damage to pulses in store. 



2. Though varying in appearance and size, they have 

 more or less, the same life history. 



3. The pulses are infested either in the field when ex- 

 posed in dry open pods or in the store itself by the adult 

 beetles which alone appear to be responsible for carrying 

 the infestation over from one year to another. 



4. Eggs are deposited on the surface of the seed. The 

 larvae bore into the seed, inside which the further develop- 

 ment is completed, the adult beetles emerging out through 

 neat holes cut out of the seed coat. 



5. The life history takes from three to six weeks, the 

 actual period depending on the season. 



6. The beetles are directed by a remarkable instinct 

 to come to the top surface where alone eggs are deposited. 



7. Advantage may be taken of this instinct by spread- 

 ing a layer of sand, a couple of inches thick on the top 

 surface which prevents the beetles which come to the top for 

 copulation from getting back to the seed. 



8. Some of the methods practised by the raiyats are 

 to be commended though they do not completely prevent 

 injury. Among these, the practice of " moodai " tying and 

 smearing the top layer of seeds with castor oil are the most 

 efficient. 



9. The closer together the seeds are packed i;i the 



