author(s)
Manthele Ntsiki Rampai, Mpho Liphoto and Mpho Phoofolo

abstract
Bruchid beetles are significant post-harvest pests that cause substantial economic and nutritional losses in stored legumes, particularly common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata). The aim of this study was to identify the grain beetle species that attack common bean and cowpeas in Lesotho. The different accessions of bean and cowpeas were collected from various locations in Lesotho in seven districts. A sample of one kilogram was collected for individual sampled seedlots. Samples were stored in glass-cans allowing successful culturing and hatching of bruchid eggs that may have infested from different seed lots. Culturing of stock beetles was done in Randomized complete block experiment design with three replicates per collection in Entomology Laboratory. The survey of hatched weevils and the characterization of the pest was done based on insect morphological traits. The key traits; body colour, elytra structure, and the colour of antennae and high legs were used to identify the beetles. The study revealed two distinct species; Acanthoscelides obtectus (common bean weevil) and Callosobruchus maculatus (cowpea weevil) both of which were found infesting stored common beans and cowpeas respectively. Acanthoscelides obtectus was identified with a grey color with brown patches; the mouth parts were black, and the hind legs were red. Callosobruchus maculatus adults were black and reddish-brown with a cream spot at the neck, and the elytra had pale strips and a large abdominal plate in females and a small abdominal plate in males and did not have strips. Both species belong to the Bruchidae family as they are granivores.