Biological efficacy of three essential oils and Azadirachta indica vegetable oil in the control of an insect pest of cowpea grain : Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera : Bruchidae).

Abstract

Background : Several methods are recommended for the control of cowpea pests. These include biological control, chemical control, resistance of the host plant and cultural practices. Thus, the present study aims to assess the biological effectiveness of three essential oils and zadirachta. indica oil in the control of an insect pest of cowpea grain: Callosobruchus maculatus. Methods: The biological efficacy of essential oils of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon nardus and vegetable oil of Azadirachta indica was evaluated on Callosobruchus maculatus adults in cowpea under laboratory conditions. Result: The results revealed that the essential oils as well as the A. indica vegetable oil tested had significant insecticidal and repellent activities on the adults of C. maculatus when the dose and exposure time increased from 0 to 20 μl / l of air for 6 h and 0 to 2000 μl/l of air for 96 h, respectively. Conclusion: The four plants tested had good biological activity with respect to the cowpea beetle C. maculatus.