Overview Of Bruchus Rufimanus Boheman 1833 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Biology, Chemical Ecology And Semiochemical Opportunities In Integrated Pest Management Programs

Promoting the cultivation of native legumes, such as faba beans (Vicia faba L.) within the European Union is anticipated to contribute to the sustainability of cropping systems and provide food and feed proteins as alternatives to unsustainable imports. However, efficient alternative control methods to pesticides must be implemented to combat key pests that devalue faba bean seeds (namely, Bruchus rufimanus Boheman, 1833; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). This pest causes significant economic losses in faba bean crops as post-embryonic development (cf. seminovorous larvae) occurs inside forming seeds. While there has been extensive research on the biology and chemical ecology of B. rufimanus, efficient control methods are lacking. Here, we review this pest species to identify: (i) knowledge gaps on its biology that could enhance management tools; (ii) potential improvements to current semiochemical-based control approaches; and (iii) other method of control based on semiochemicals that could be implemented.