Variation in Host Suitability and Development of Lasioderma serricorne (Fab.) (Coleoptera: Ptinidae) on Tobacco Seed

The cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius), is an important pest of stored tobacco, but differences in its development on seeds of individual tobacco varieties remain insufficiently documented. This study evaluated host suitability and seed damage among 25 tobacco varieties using a no-choice assay arranged in a completely randomised design with three replications. For each variety, adult beetles were introduced into seed samples, and fecundity, adult emergence, mean developmental period, growth index and percentage seed-weight loss were recorded. Seed biochemical and biophysical characteristics were also evaluated, with analysis of variance, correlations and principal component analysis used to assess varietal differences and associations. Mean fecundity was 210.24 eggs and did not differ significantly among varieties (P = .118). Adult emergence, developmental period, growth index and seed-weight loss varied significantly. Overall adult emergence averaged 72.10%, the mean developmental period was 77.34 days, and mean seed-weight loss was 10.06%. Izmir exhibited the highest seed-weight loss (14.57%), followed by CTRI Sulakshana and DCT-4 (14.53% each). CTRI Sulakshana recorded the shortest mean developmental period (62.91 days), while Podali, Dharla and Banket A1 showed comparatively lower seed-weight losses. Correlation and principal component analyses indicated associations among infestation measures, but no single measured seed trait fully accounted for host suitability. These findings support variety-specific monitoring priorities under the tested storage conditions.