Bioactivities of candlewood, Zanthoxylum Xanthoxyloides (lam.) solvent extracts against two stored-product insect pests

Abstract

Bioactivities of candlewood, Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides (Lam.) solvent extracts on control of Sitophilus zeamais Mots.  (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) were assessed on maize and cowpea respectively. Of the four solvent extracts investigated, methanol (MeOH) extract gave the highest yield of 75 ± 10.89 %, and caused significant (p<0.001) mortalities in both insects. It also gave hundred percent protections to maize and cowpea against damage by S. zeamais and C. maculatus respectively, while causing complete inhibition of F1 progeny production and egg  development within grains. All solvent extracts studied however, evoked strong to moderate repellent actions against both insect pests, with MeOH  extract being the most bioactive (%R > 95; Fr = 0).