Insecticidal Potency of Three Selected Tropical Wood Dusts in the Control of Maize Weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) on Stored Maize

Abstract

The insecticidal properties of wood dust obtained from three tropical plant species (Khaya ivoreinsis, Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera) were evaluated against 10 newly emerged adult Sitophilus zeamais at 1.0g, 1.5g and 2.0g treatment doses on 20g of maize grain in a 300cm3 rearing jars. Daily mortality count was observed for seven days, followed oviposition count with the aid of acid fuschin staining method. F1 adult emergence was also noted as well as grain damage and subsequent weight loss before the grain viability was tested. Data collected was subjected to ANOVA and the treatment means were compared using LSD at 5% probability level (P>0.05). The results revealed the 3 tropical wood dusts from effective in preventing the activities of S. zeamais in all the parameters measured. K. ivoreinsis wood dust recorded the highest (8.00) total mortality, and recorded the lowest F1 generation (0.50), number of grain damage (11.0) and weight loss (0.23). While, A. indica recorded highest number of seed viability (4.75). Therefore, sustainable use of these tropical wood dusts as biopesticides especially K. ivorensis in the control of insect pests like S. zeamais on stored maize is very much encouraged, since they are safe, cheap, and readily available for farmers.

Key-words: Insecticidal, Maize, Sitophilus zeamais, Wood dust.