This common pest of stored legumes has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on every continent except Antarctica.

[2] The beetle most likely originated in West Africa and moved around the globe with the trade of legumes and other crops.

[1] As only a small number of individuals were likely present in legumes carried by people to distant places, the populations that have invaded various parts of the globe have likely gone through multiple bottlenecks.

This ability to withstand a high degree of inbreeding has likely contributed to this species’ prevalence as a pest.

[1] It is used as a model organism for both research and education due to its quick generation time, sexual dimorphism, and ease of maintenance.

The flying form has a longer lifespan and lower fecundity, and the sexes are less dimorphic and can be more difficult to tell apart.

[6] During development, the larva feeds on the interior of the bean, eating the tissue just under the surface, leaving a very thin layer through which it will exit when it matures.

[5] In colder climates the gestation period is typically longer taking anywhere from 4–13 weeks to emerge.

Crowding limits resources for each individual, leading to longer development time, higher mortality, smaller adult size, and lower fecundity.

[6] The beetle tolerates a range of humidity and temperature, making it adaptable in climates worldwide.

Its developmental time varies with factors such as humidity, temperature, legume type, crowding, and inbreeding levels in the population.

When the female is experimentally prevented from kicking the male (by removal of the hind legs), matings continued for longer than usual, and injury increased.

[12] Temperature and humidity in legume storage areas are relatively constant and the food density is high.

[4][13] The adult is more likely to seek the legume in which it developed as a larva, but if it is not available or less common, the beetle will utilize another type.

Available food makes the female less receptive to advances from males, which present a nuptial gift as part of courtship.

[15] The gift is a spermatophore, nutritional content mixed into his ejaculate, a package which can be up to 20% of his body weight.

[19] One study showed that the beetles will choose their host depending on the geographic region in which they live.

Anisopteromalus calandrae, Uscana mukerjii, and Dinarmus wasps specifically target Callosobruchus species.

In developing countries, small-scale farmers mix the crushed leaves of Cassia occidentalis into bean stores to deter the beetle.

[25][26] The seed oil does not stop oviposition, but it increases the mortality of the eggs and the first-instar larvae.

[26] Other botanical biological pest control agents tested include nishinda (Vitex negundo), Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus), bankalmi (Ipomoea sepiaria), neem (Azadirachta indica), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), sesame (Sesamum indicum), and gum arabic (Acacia nilotica syn.

These technologies work by separating the container environment from the surrounding air and forcing the insects inside to deplete the available oxygen inside the container [28] Not only does this ultimately kill the insects, but it also reduces the level of damage they inflict as active feeding ceases below a certain threshold of oxygen [29] Animal agents of biological control include the parasitoid wasps that target the beetle.