Ability of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky [Coleoptera: Curculionidae] From Four Locations in Nigeria to Infest and Damage Three Varieties of Maize, Zea mays L.

Abstract

Ability of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky obtained from four different locations in Nigeria to infest and damage three varieties of maize, Zea mays L., was investigated under ambient laboratory conditions in Akure, Nigeria. Post-infestation adult mortality, FJ progeny emergence, grain perforation, and weight loss in infested maize were assessed. The maize variety TZMl 205, previously reported to be highly resistant to infestation and damage by S. zeamais from Akure, was observed to be similarly resistant to weevil populations from Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Maiduguri. There may be variation among populations of S. zeamais in Nigeria with respect to their ability to damage resistant maize varieties.