Azuki bean beetle (ABB), Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) is a cosmopolitan field-to-storage pest of legumes. Its female sex pheromone consists of two isomeric components, 2Z-homofarnesal and 2E-homofarnesal. Two day old virgin adults were exposed to sub-lethal fumigation doses (LC25=2.80 and LC50=3.32 mgL-1) of ethyl formate (EF) to see the effects on adult longevity, fecundity, sterility and female sex pheromone production. Longevity (female; P < 0.001, male; P < 0.001), fecundity (P < 0.001) and sterility (P < 0.001) were significantly affected. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for solid phase micro extraction revealed that release of both of the pheromone components were not affected by LC25 dose of EF. However, the fecundity (per female/day) was significantly (P < 0.001) stimulated by the tested EF doses when the female adults were treated irrespective of the male treatment, probably revealing a hormetic effect. This study provides insight into the effect of EF fumigation on biological activities of C. chinensis.

• Kashinath Chiluwal(Division of Applied Life Science (BK21+ Program), Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Korea, Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Kathmandu, Nepal)
• Byung Ho Lee(Pacific Basin ARS, USDA, Hawaii 96720, United States)
• Tae Hyung Kwon(Division of Applied Life Science (BK21+ Program), Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Korea)
• Junheon Kim(Forest Insect Pests and Disease Division, National Institute of Forest Science, Korea)
• Soon Do Bae(Department of Southern Area Crop Science, National Institute of Crop Science, Korea)
• Chung Gyoo Park(Division of Applied Life Science (BK21+ Program), Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Korea)