Management of pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera) using local natural products in Tripura

Abstract

Pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera) is a major pest of stored pulse grains in Tripura. Use of chemical insecticides in storage has several ill effects while natural products for the management of these insects are considered as safer. In this context, five locally available non chemical natural products viz., Neem powder, Turmeric powder, Mustard oil, Coconut oil and Cow dung ash were used to evaluate the effectiveness against C. maculatus. Three sets of experiments were carried out separately on three different pulse seeds viz., Field pea (Pisum sativum), Chick pea (Cicer arietinum) and Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). It is evident from the present work that out of the five treatments, mustard oil and coconut oil owing to their insecticidal and oviposition deterrent activities provided excellent protection to the seeds up to three months where not a single grain was infested by the pulse beetle. Moreover, as both of these oils are edible so these can be used very safely and efficiently in storing of pulse seeds for protection against pulse beetles without any side effects for human consumptions.