Tamarind Seed Beetle (Caryedon serratus) | Pest of Tamarind & Legume Seeds
Tamarind Seed Beetle (Caryedon serratus)
A Silent Pest Threat to Tamarind and Dry Legume Seeds
The Tamarind Seed Beetle (Caryedon serratus) is a small but destructive beetle in the family Bruchidae, known for causing direct damage to tamarind seeds and dry legumes, such as peanuts, both pre- and post-harvest. The larvae bore into seeds and feed from within, significantly reducing the quality and commercial value of agricultural products.
Basic Identification
Common Name: Tamarind Seed BeetleScientific Name: Caryedon serratus (Olivier)
Family: Bruchidae
Order: Coleoptera
Body Size: 5.0–8.0 mm
Antennae: Subserrate
Wings:
- Forewings (elytra): Hardened with fine hairs
- Hindwings: Transparent membrane
Legs:
- Third pair (hind legs) is enlarged with serrated femur and curved tibia—key features for species identification
Life Cycle (Complete Metamorphosis)
- Laid singly on seed surface
- Hatch in 5–6 days
- Duration: ~21 days
- Larvae burrow into seeds and feed internally
- Duration: 20–25 days
- Larvae exit seeds to pupate externally inside a cocoon
- Lifespan: ~6 months
- Total life cycle: 47–68 days
Host Plants & Damage
Target Crops:
- Sweet tamarind
- Sour tamarind
- Indian laburnum (Cassia fistula)
- Pongamia seeds
- Peanuts
Damage Symptoms:
- Larvae feed inside seeds, leaving holes, frass, and cocoons
- Infested seeds are unsuitable for sale or consumption
- Most damage occurs in under-dried pods or during storage
Distribution
- Found in tropical and subtropical regions
- Reported across Asia, Africa, and South America
Control and Management
✅ Physical & Cultural Controls
Temperature control: Apply heat or cold treatment to interrupt developmentFumigation:
- Use before storing or processing raw materials
- Recommended for batches marked for rejection
Remove infested materials: Isolate and dispose of contaminated stock
✅ Biological & Monitoring Methods
Pheromone traps:- Attract and trap adult males
- Monitor infestation levels in storage areas
✅ Conclusion
While Caryedon serratus may not cause immediate devastation, the quality degradation from internal larval feeding, frass, and cocoons has a serious impact on consumer trust and product marketability—especially for high-value crops like tamarind and peanuts.
Effective management relies on Integrated Pest Management (IPM)—a combination of good pre-harvest practices, proper drying and storage, and regular monitoring with pheromone traps. By adopting a proactive approach, farmers and producers can protect both product integrity and consumer confidence.-21.jpg)
Tamarind Seed Beetle (Caryedon serratus) — 3 High-Intent, Google-Style FAQs
Q: 1 How do I spot a tamarind/peanut infestation early—and can any product be salvaged?
A:- Tell-tale signs (pods, seeds, and bins): pin-sized round holes on seeds; fine, gritty frass (powder) stuck to seed coats; silky cocoons outside the seeds; hollow or rattling seeds; clumped, under-dried pods.
- Cut-and-check: split a few suspect pods; sound seeds are hard, glassy, and intact—infested ones show internal galleries.
- Salvage rule: eating quality drops fast once larvae feed internally. You may heat-treat lightly infested, commercially non-saleable stock to stop further spread (see Q3), then divert to non-premium uses (e.g., oil extraction, animal feed where legal). Do not mix any suspect lot back with clean inventory.
Q: 2 What’s the best way to store tamarind/legume seeds so beetles can’t develop?
A:- Dry to safe moisture: target ≤10–11% seed moisture (pods must be truly dry before binning). For tamarind pulp products, dry until seeds snap rather than dent under a thumbnail.
- Go hermetic: use airtight liners/drums (e.g., multilayer hermetic bags, sealed metal bins). Low-oxygen storage suppresses eggs/larvae.
- Cool & clean: keep stores ≤20–25 °C, good airflow, and zero residues (sweep floors, under pallets, beam ledges).
- Quarantine & FIFO: hold incoming lots 7–10 days in a separate bay with sticky/pheromone traps, then rotate strictly first-in, first-out.
- Package defenses: thick, well-sealed pouches (heat seals) resist oviposition; avoid loose weave sacks for long holds.
Q: 3 What kills all life stages without ruining product—and when should I fumigate?
A:
1) Household / small processor (non-chemical):
- Freezing: −18 °C (0 °F) for 3–4 days after the core is frozen kills eggs/larvae/pupae/adults.
- Heat: hold seeds at 60 °C (140 °F) for ≥30 min (or 55 °C for ~60 min)—spread in a thin layer; verify with a probe thermometer.
2) Warehouse scale (IPM):
- Fumigation (phosphine) only for confirmed, widespread activity or export compliance; seal space properly and use licensed operators.
- Between fumigations: deploy pheromone traps to monitor males (early warning) and pinpoint hotspots; vacuum/spill control weekly.
- Never rely on one tactic—combine drying + hermetic storage + sanitation + monitoring to break the 47–68-day life cycle.
If you want, tell me your product form (pods, deseeded kernels, or processed goods), storage temperature, and typical hold time—I’ll tailor a one-page, step-by-step IPM plan you can post in the warehouse.
