Insecticidal activity of chinaberry, endod and pepper tree against the maize stalk borer (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

A preliminary field test in 1993/94 showed that application of extracts of fruits of chinaberry (Melia azedarach L.), endod ( Phytolacca dodecandra L.) and pepper tree (Schinus molle L.) significantly reduced the levels of leaf infestation and deadheart injury due to larvae of the maize stalk borer, Busseola fusca (Fuller), and resulted in increases in crop yield. The following season, the effects of extracts of leaves and fruits of each plant extract on B. fusca larvae were separately evaluated. Extracts of both leaves and fruits of chinaberry (either fresh or dried) were effective in reducing the number of larvae. All the rates used significantly reduced the number of larvae below those in the untreated controls. Fresh leaves and fruits of endod were also effective against B. fusca. Fruits of pepper tree were superior to leaves. Fresh leaves of this plant did not reduce the number oflarvae. Two applications of any of the three botanicals were not sufficient to provide complete protection of maize against second generation larvae. This suggests that these botanicals have only brief persistence, and more than two applications of the extracts would be necessary to reduce part numbers.