Abundance, Harmfulness, and Control of Pea Leaf Weevil in Broad Beans (Vicia faba Linn.)

A field experiment was carried out on broad beans (Vicia faba L.) to investigate the abundance of the pea leaf weevil (Sitona lineatus L.), as influenced by the timing of pest control, using insecticides. The study was conducted in broad bean var. 'Vertigo', during the period 2019-2020. The study included six spray regimes, as well as an untreated control. Yellow water traps were used to monitor the occurrence of the pea leaf weevil from the start of germination until harvest. Pea leaf weevil abundance was observed over the growing season. The adult density showed two peaks at two plant phenology stages, at flowering and before harvest (BBCH 89). The amount of damaged root nodules by this pest ranged from 41 to 59%. Data from two years of study suggest that S. lineatus infestation does not result in a seed yield reduction. Spray regimes did not impact larval density. Applying foliar insecticides at the local threshold can be recommended as an effective method to protect broad beans from feeding by pea leaf weevils.