Bruchid larvae cause major losses in grain legume crops throughout the world. Some bruchid species, such as the cowpea weevil and the Mexican bean weevil, are pests that damage stored seeds. Plant lectins have been implicated as antibiosis factors against insects, particularly the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus. Talisia esculenta lectin (TEL) was tested for anti-insect activity against C. maculatus and Zabrotes subfasciatus larvae. TEL produced ca. 90% mortality to these bruchids when incorporated in an artificial diet at a level of 2% (w/w), The LD50 and FD50 for TEL was ca. 1% (w/w) for both insects. TEL was not digested by midgut preparations of C maculatus and Z, subfasciatus. The transformation of the genes coding for this lectin could be useful in the development of insect resistance in important agricultural crops. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All tights reserved.157128388