Abstract

The insecticidal efficacy of oils extracted from Balanites aegyptiaca seeds and Cashew nut on survival and development of cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus in cowpea seeds during storage was investigated. Fifty grams of sterilized cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds in each Petri dish were treated with 0.5, 1 and 1.5 ml concentrations. Each dish was then infested with 10 newly emerged adult bruchids of both sexes. In each case the treated and untreated samples (control) were replicated three times. In all trials 100% mortality rate was recorded within 48 h post infestation. The oils also affected egg laying capacity of the females and have a high larvicidal effect with very low productivity results. Thus, the oils have a significant effect on survival and development of the weevil.

Key words: Oil extract, cowpea weevil, mortality, infestation, development, insecticidal.