Control of Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch) [Coleoptera: Curculionidae] on Sorghum Using Some Plant Powders

Abstract

Plant powders prepared from five plant species were tested under constant conditions at 30 ± 2℃ and 60 - 65% r. h. for their ability to protect sorghum grains against Sitophilus zeamais in storage. Doses at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0g and 0.12g of the check (permethrin (0.6%) were applied for assessments of adult mortality, emergence and damage. Leaf powders of E. balsamifera, J. curcas and L. inermis gave the highest adult mortality (60.0 - 100%), while peel powder of C. sinensis and leaf powder of L. hastata recorded 47.50 - 82.50% adult mortality. Least adult emergence (0.00%) was observed when 2.0g of J. curcas was applied, while the highest (57.82%) was obtained from 0.5g L. hastata. All the plant powders showed sig- nificant (p < 0.05) adult mortality against S. zeamais with weevil perforation index (WPI) of < 50.00. This study was de- signed to observe the possibility of using plants parts to reduce grain damage caused by insect pests during storage.