Abstract
ABSTRACT Field studies in a traditional bean cropping system (“Frijol tapado”) showed that an average of 8% of the Phaseolus vulgaris pods harvested were attacked by Zabrotes subfasciatus. Levels of attack observed on wild Phaseolus lunatus vines also present in the agroecosystem were comparable (x=9%) Data obtained on the insect's reproductive biology, a survey of its host plant records, the particular attention paid to adaptations likely to restrict its host plant range (physiological, morphological, ecological) and field observations all demonstrated the extreme host specificity of Z. subfasciatus in the local community context A model of host plant switching by this Bruchid in the Costa Rican region studied was proposed after testing its underlying assumptions. The model predicts that the level of bean crop contamination could be reduced by controlling this insect's wild host plant (P. lunatus) around P. vulgaris fields and bean storage sites.
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