Comparative Efficacy of Three Botanicals against Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) in Stored Cowpea Seeds.
The pulverized roots of three indigenous plants; Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, Petiveria alliaceae and Gliricidia sepium were used as biopesticides against Callosobruchus maculatus infesting stored cowpea as an alternative to synthetic insecticides. The laboratory bioassays were conducted at six levels of concentrations (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 g of the plant powder/25g cowpea seed) and the chemical insecticide Actellic Super (2%) dust as standard check, for ovipostion deterrence and toxicity to adult C. maculatus at the temperature of 28±2 C, RH (68±5%) and 12 h photoperiod. Results showed the efficacy of test botanicals were dose-dependents. Z. zanthoxyloides and P alliaceae were more toxic than G. sepium. They caused (77%) mortality 7 days after application which was insignificantly different than (100%) mortality caused by Actellic Super. Z. zanthoxyloides and P alliaceae inhibited reproduction …
