In 1980, the International Symposium on the Ecology of Bruchids
Attacking Legumes (Pulses), organized by Dr. Labeyrie, was held at
Tours, France. Since then, there has been tremendous progress in the
area of Bruchid and Legume research. At the same time, as we face the
problems of world-wide population explosion and food shortage, the
importance of legumes as the world's major protein source is rapidly
increasing, especial- ly in tropical regions. Thus, it seemed
appropriate to hold the Second Symposium in order to review the recent
progress in the control of Bruchids and in the biology and ecology of
Bruchids and legumes. This is an important part of the search for ways
to integrate these fields with a common perspective. The Second
International Symposium on Bruchids and Legumes (ISBL-II) was held in
September 6-9, 1989 at Okayama, Japan under the joint auspices of the
Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology and of the Foundation
for Advancement of International Science. Significant contributions have
originated in Japan on the study of Bruchid and legumes. Most notably,
the study on population ecology by Professor S.