EFFECT OF ASCORBIC ACID ON LONGEVITY AND REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF CALLOSOBRUCHUS MACULATUS F.

Optimal ascorbic acid concentration (1 mM) extended the life span and decreased the reproductive potential of C. maculatus. However, the per cent increase in LT50 and LT1oo was more pronounced in females than in males. The life prolonging effect of ascorbic acid could be explained in terms of its decreasing the reproductive potential of bruchids and/or its free radical quenching effect.