Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabr.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) is the most important pest of stored cowpea in tropical and subtropical conditions. This paper evaluates the stability of the resistance and the capacity of adaptation of C. maculatus to cowpea genotypes for six generations. A test without choice chance was used, in a factorial, completely randomized design, with ten treatments (n=5) in six generations of the insect. Each replication was represented by 30 grains infested by two pairs of the pest. The number of eggs/female only differed between the cowpea genotypes in the sixth generation, and between generations in BR14-Mulato, Bico de Pato, TE90-180-3E and TE87-98-8G. Viability of eggs differed between generations for BR17-Gurguéia, BR14-Mulato, IT89KD-260 and IT89KD-245, and between the genotypes in the third, fifth and sixth generations. The genotypes differed between and within generations in regard to the duration and viability of the immature phase. A reduction in the emergency, especially on IT89KD-245, IT89KD-260, CNC 0434, Bico de Pato, TE90-180-10F and BR14-Mulato, probably due to chemical substances present in the grains that affected the survival of the insects, was observed throughout generations. Genotypes IT89KD-245 and IT89KD-260 standed as moderately resistant. The adaptation of C. maculatus to the genotypes was not observed, which remained resistance throughout generations.
Vigna unguiculata; insecta; plant resistance; antibiosis