Bruchus rufimanus

Sometimes known as the Broad Bean Weevil (or Broad Bean Beetle). At 3.5-5 mm, this is the largest species in the genus Bruchus. The elytra are grey-brown, flecked with white, and are shorter than the body. The antennae are orange at the base, and whilst the front legs are reddish, the middle legs are black. The pronotum has a relatively dense covering of scale-like hairs.

Bruchus atomarius is generally smaller (2.5-3.5mm),has a similar body pattern and leg colour but the pronotum only has sparce hairs.

• 3.5-5mm
• red/pale front legs, mid and hind legs dark
• pale spot at the mid-base of the pronotum and also at the top of the abdomen on the suture
• dense pubescence on the pronotum
• hind tibia with a large, prominent apical tooth

State the size. Images should show the hairs on the pronotum, the dorsal pattern and the leg colour.

Anywhere that the larval foodplants can be found, and a pest of Broad Bean crops.

Particularly fond of Broad Beans but also other members of the Vicia family. The Bruchid beetle larvae tunnel into the developing bean seeds within the pod and the subsequent exit holes can cause sufficient damage which can lead to crop rejection.

Widespread in England but fewer records from elsewhere in Britain.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 29 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.