The development of Sternechus subsignatus (Boheman) (Coleoptera. Curculionidae) was evaluated on ten crop species under natural conditions under no-tillage system for three years and infested with the insect Soybean was the Summer crop continously cultivated in the area. Number of attacked plants, oviposition, number and weight of larvae and number of adults emerged were the parameters evaluated. The insect reproduced and developed in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L), grandull (Cajanus cajan L.), dolichos (Dolichos lablab L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) and not in bengal hemp (Crotalaria júncea L ), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), millet (Pennisetum americanum Leek), corn (Zea mays L.), black velvet bean (Stizolobium aterrimum Piper et Tracy) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) did not complete lhe life cycle Results indicated that P. vulgaris, C. cajan, D. lablab and G. max increased insect populatron but, a reduction was observed on C. juncea, H. annuus, P. americanum, Z. mays, S. aterrimum and S. bicolor. The first four related species are the preferred hosts and may be used as trap crops. The other six species did not host the insect, decreasing its populations and thus being ideal to be included in Summer crop rotafion systems to subslitute soybean monocropping under no-tillage.
insecta; feeding hubris; reproduction; crops; tillage system
