Comparative effect of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) peel, Bitter Leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), Figwort (Scrophularia californica), Pawpaw Leaf (Carica papaya) powder and synthetic insecticide on the control of dried plantain chip pest Tribolium castaneum (Red flour beetle)

Abstract

This research work was conducted to determine the comparative effect of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) peel, Bitter Leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), Figwort (Scrophularia californica), Pawpaw Leaf (Carica papaya) powder and synthetic insecticide on the control of dried plantain chip (Tribolium castaneum). Leaves of V. amygdalina, S. californica, C. papaya and C. sinensis were used. Each of the four plant powders at two different concentrations (5g and 10g) were used to compare with the effectiveness of synthetic and those without treatment (control) for the period of 28th days in a completely randomized design (CRD). The result revealed that increase in live insect was evident in zero treatment followed by those dried chip treated with C. papaya at 5% conc. whereas least value was recorded for those chip applied with synthetic and S. californica slightly follows. However, the value obtained for dead insect was highest in those chips with synthetic in which S. californica follows whereas least value was recorded for zero treatment and C. papaya at 10% conc. The value recorded for damaged done by T. castaneum on the chip was highest at C. sinesis at 10g application. The lowest value was recorded for control and synthetic while plant extract S. californica follows. However, the weight of chip left was highest in botanical applied with S. californica when compared with other botanical and the synthetic. It is therefore recommended that the botanical Figwort (S. californica) with either 5 or 10% concentration used in this study can serves as a good substitute to the synthetic insecticide for chips storage since its fumigant activities can penetrate the crevices made by the pests on chips to affect the hiding stages