Tracking the main pest of faba bean in Europe

The Bruchid Beetle (Bruchus Rufimanus) is the main pest of faba bean in Europe. Having been found in Ireland for the first time in 2016, it causes holes in seed which can prevent the sale of seed in international markets.

Speaking from the Teagasc Crops Open Day, Antoine Pichon, a Teagasc PhD student who is studying the Bruchid Beetle, said: “The larvae dig a hole inside the seed. If you have more than 3% damaged seed, you can’t sell it for human consumption on the international markets and the threshold is 10% for animal feed.”

Pointing to a previous Teagasc survey, undertaken between 2018 and 2020, Antoine explained that the population of the Bruchid Beetle is very low in Ireland, with pockets or hotspots of seed damage occurring mainly in the east and south of the country. However, with the acreage of bean crops rising, vigilance is key as he expects the hotspot areas to spread Bruchid Beetle all across the country.

Antoine Pichon speaking from the Teagasc Crops Open Day on June 21.

A new survey

Antoine’s goal is to assess the population of Bruchid Beetle in Ireland and to understand the impact it can have on seed germination, establishment and yield. A new survey is beginning this summer and it aims to investigate the spread of the population across the country. With the help of growers, traps will be placed on farms that include a lure that smells like faba bean to attract the pest. Once trapped, Antoine plans to characterise the genetic diversity within the Bruchid Beetle population. Through a combination of the above, it is planned that effective control strategies can be designed. To get involved in this survey, email: antoine.pichon@teagasc.ie

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