The investigation aimed at finding alternatives or at least minimise farmers massive (10-8 times) use of broad spectrum chemical insecticides for the management of Maruca vitrata a major reproductive insect pest of cowpea in cowpea in Kebbi State of Nigeria. The experiments in RCB design were carried out in Manga village of Zuru local government area of the State using cowpea variety IT89KD-245-1. Volunteer farmers applied the insecticides (Cypermethrin + 250g/l Dimethoate and 5% neem kernel extract (nke) on both calendar (weekly) and scouting basis, using action threshold of 60% flower infestation/damage at 50% flowering stage. Larval infestation/flower damage, yield and yield components as well as economic returns of each insecticide spray regime were assessed. The result showed that neem on a calendar application provided effective control of M. vitrata larval infestation/damage. Nke scouting based application had significantly higher larval infestation/damage compared to calendar chemical insecticide application but, yield was similar. Economic returns were better using neem for control of M. vitrata than using chemical insecticide, especially if neem applications were based on scouting. Thus, neem demonstrated to be a better alternative to chemical control of M. vitrata.