Entomotoxicant potential of Christmas bush, Alchornea cordifolia (Schum. & Thonn.) leaves powder in the control of maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) infesting stored maize

Abstract

The efficacy of leaf powder of Alchornea cordifolia against the maize storage pest, Sitophilus zeamais on stored maize was investigated in the Integrated Science Education Department laboratory of the University of Education, Winneba, Central Region, Ghana, at a temperature of 30±2C and 75±5% relative humidity. A. cordifolia leaf powders were added to 20.0 g of grains at the following rates of 3.0g, 4.0g, and 5.0g to assess contact toxicity, damage assessment, progeny production, repellency and seed germination ability. Results showed that the plant material was toxic to the insect (P