International Journal of Entomology and Nematology

Vol. 6(1), pp. 142-148, February, 2020. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: 2326-7262

Research Article

Toxic Effects of some Pungent Smelling Seed Extracts and

Powders on Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera:
Curculionidae) Infesting Stored Maize Grains
1Obembe, Olusola Michael, *2Ojo Durojaye Olanrewaju, 3Odetoye Adefunke Adedayo
1Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Plant Resources Management Programme, Faculty of Science, Ekiti
State University P.M.B 5363, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
2Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Ekiti State University, P. M. B. 5363, Ado Ekiti,

Nigeria.
3Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University Oye, Nigeria.

Sitophilus zeamais is a notorious field-to-store pest of maize in the Tropic. The use of chemical
insecticides, regardless of its adverse effects has been the major means of managing this pest.
In this study, bio-insecticides of plant origin was used to control maize weevil in the store. The
dry fruits of Capsicum frutescens, Piper guineense and Aframomum melegueta were extracted
with ethanol, using Soxhlet apparatus. The extracts and powders were evaluated on S. zeamais
Motschulsky for mortality, oviposition and adult emergence. The long term storage of the treated
maize was also investigated. The results obtained shows that all extracts and powders from C.
frutescens and P. guineense caused 100 % mortality by day 12 of exposure with all extract
concentrations and doses of powder applied. Powders of A. melegueta was able to achieve 100
% mortality only by day 12 of exposure. The extracts also suppressed oviposition and subsequent
adult emergence. Extracts and powders of A. melegueta and P. guineense completely prevented
infestation and hence damage of the treated maize grains for a period of three months. The result
obtained suggests that extracts and powders of the test plants most especially that of P.
guineense and C. frutescens can be utilized in protecting stored maize grains from infestation by
S. zeamais.

Key words: Sitophilus zeamais, Capsicum frutescens, Piper guineense, Aframomum melegueta, bioinsecticides,
oviposition, mortality and infestation

INTRODUCTION

Maize, Zea mays L. is the most important cereal crop in
Africa and one of the world’s three most important cereal
crops after rice and wheat (Asawalam and Hassanali,
2006). It is the cheapest form of dietary carbohydrate
(Rouanet, 1992) for human and livestock consumption in
Nigeria. It also provides raw ingredients for industries and
supports worldwide business worth 40 million dollars
annually. About 60-80 % of maize produced in Nigeria is
stores at the farm level in order to enhance food supply as
well as providing income for farmers (Golod et al., 1999).
However, the storage of maize has been hampered by
insect pest.
Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) is a major
serious cosmopolitan pest of stored grains, most
especially maize, in the tropic and the sub-tropic region of
the world (Throne, 1994; Adedire et al., 2011). S. zeamais
is a serious primary pest of maize but it is found
secondarily attacking other crops such as rice, guinea
corn, yam products, groundnut, cowpea, millet, cassava
*Corresponding Author: Ojo Durojaye Olanrewaju,
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology,
Faculty of Science, Ekiti State University, P. M. B. 5363,
Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. Email: entojo1@gmail.com

Toxic Effects of some Pungent Smelling Seed Extracts and Powders on Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Infesting Stored Maize Grains
Obembe et al. 143
flavour, cocoyam and beniseed in Nigeria (Nwanna 1993;
NRI, 1996). Adult weevils and larvae feed on wholesome
grains and reduce them to powdery form. The female
weevil lays its eggs singly in holes made in the grain with
it mouthparts and plug it with waxy material. The eggs
hatch into larva which feed exclusively on the grain. Each
larva develops within the grain. Matured larvae pupate and
develop into adult inside the grain (Ofuya and Lale, 2001).
The control of insect pest has been achieved in the past
through the use of synthetic chemical insecticides and this
has constituted a lot of problems such as mammalian
toxicity, high level of persistence in the environment,
workers safety, ozone layer depletion potential, insect
resistance and environmental pollution, leading to health
hazards (Adedire and Ajayi, 1996). Considering these
shortcomings of chemical insecticides, attention is
currently being focused on the use of botanicals for crop
protection because they are ecologically friendly,
biodegradable, have low mammalian toxicity (Obembe
and Ojo, 2018; Obembe and Kayode, 2018).
Several compounds of medicinal plant origin have been
discovered to exert various physiological and behavioural
activities on stored product insects (Echendu 1991;
Okosun and Adedire, 2010). Lajide et al. (1998) reported
that pulverised seeds of Uvaria afzelli, Eugenia aromatica
and bark of Erythrophleum guineense were highly toxic to
maize weevil when used for coating maize grains. In this
study, the effectiveness of three pungent smelling seeds
namely, Capsicum frutescens, Piper guineense and
Afromomun melegueta seed extracts were evaluated for
the protection of maize grains against infestation by S.
zeamais during storage.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted in Plant Science and
Biotechnology Department Laboratory, Ekiti State
University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
Insect culture
The initial culture of Sitophilus zeamais used for the
experiment was obtained from a Mojere market, Ado Ekiti,
Ekiti State, Nigeria, along with infested maize grains. The
insects were cultured at the temperature 28 ± 2oC and 75±
5% relative humidity inside plastic container covered with
muslin cloth to disallow the escape of the insect as well
prevent the entry of intruding insects. The culture was
maintained by replacing the devoured seeds with new un-
infested seeds.
Collection and preparation of plant materials
Dry fruits of Capsicum frutescens, Piper guineense and
Aframomun melegueta where purchased from Mojere
market, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. The seeds were removed from
the fruits and air-dried in the laboratory for a period of
seven days to reduce the moisture content in order to
Toxic Effects of some Pungent Smelling Seed Extracts and Powders on Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Infesting Stored Maize Grains
prevent moldiness. The air-dried seeds were pulverized
into fine powders using an electric blender. The powders
were sieved and passed through 1 mm2 mesh. Thereafter,
the powders were measured separately into beakers and
packed into thimbles and extracted with 250 mL of ethanol
in a Soxhlet apparatus at 60oC. The extract was
concentrated by removing the solvent using rotary
evaporator. The resulting extract was further concentrated
by air-drying to remove traces of the solvent. The extracts
were immediately used for the experiment.
Effect of Capsicum frutescens, Piper guineense and
Aframomun melegueta seed powders on mortality of
Sitophilus zeamais
Twenty grams of clean and dis-infested maize grain was
weighed into conical flask and seed powders weighing 0.3,
0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 g were added to the maize grains in 100
mL volume conical flasks. The maize grains and powders
were thoroughly mixed together to enhance uniform
spreading of the powders. Untreated maize grain was also
set up to serve as the control experiment. Twenty teneral
adults of S. zeamais were introduced into each of the
conical flasks and covered with muslin cloth held tightly in
place with rubber band. Each of the treated and untreated
control was replicated four times and laid in Complete
Randomized Design (CRD). Beetle mortality was
observed at 3 days interval for a period of 12 days. After
every 3 day, the number of dead beetles were counted and
recorded. The beetles were confirmed dead when there
was no response to probing on the abdomen with a sharp
pin.
Effect of Capsicum frutescens, Piper guineense and
Aframomum melegueta seed extracts on mortality of
S. zeamais.
Twenty grams of clean and dis-infested maize grains was
weighed into 100 mL volume conical flask and treated with
0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 % v/w seed extracts. Untreated grain
was set up to serve as the control experiment. The maize
grains and the extracts were thoroughly mixed with glass
rod to enhance uniform coating of the extracts on the
grains. Thereafter, the treated grains were air-dried for a
period of 1 h, after which 20 teneral adult S. zeamais (0-7
days old) were introduced into the Petri dishes containing
the treated and the control experiment. Four replicates
were prepared for each treatment and the control and laid
in a Complete Randomized Design. The numbers of dead
beetles were counted and recorded at 3 days interval for a
period of 12 days. The beetles were confirmed dead when
there was no response to probing on the abdomen with a
sharp pin
Effect of Capsicum frutescens, Piper guineense and
Aframomum melegueta seed powder on oviposition
and adult emergence of S. zeamais.
Twenty grams of dis-infested maize grains were measured
into each of 100 mL volume conical flask and Capsicum

frutescens, Piper guineense and Aframomum melegueta
powders each weighing 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 g were added
to the maize grains in each of the conical flask. The powder
and the maize grains were thoroughly mixed together to
enhance uniform spreading of the extracts on the maize
grains. Untreated maize grain was also set up to serve as
the control experiment. Two pairs of newly emerged
copulating adult S. zeamais were introduced into each
conical flask and covered with muslin cloth held in place
with rubber band. Each treated and untreated control was
replicated four times and laid in Complete Randomized
Design (CRD). The set up was left in the laboratory for 12
days after which the insects were removed and the
numbers of egg plugs were identified and counted after
staining with acid fuchsin dye solution (Frankenfeld, 1948).
Thereafter, the experimental set-up was kept undisturbed
in the wooden cage till the emergence of adults. The
number of adults that emerged were counted and recorded
Effect of Capsicum frutescens, Piper guineense and
Aframomum melegueta seed extracts on oviposition
and adult emergence of S. zeamais
Twenty grams of clean and un-infested wholesome maize
grains was weighed into 100 mL volume conical flask and
treated with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 % v/w of the oil. Untreated
maize grains serve as the control experiment. The maize
grains and the oil were thoroughly mixed with glass rod to
facilitate uniform coating of the oil on the seeds.
Thereafter, the treated grains were air-dried for a period of
1 h, after which 2 pairs of newly hatched copulating adult
S. zeamais (0-7 days old) were introduced into the Petri
dish containing the treated and the control experiment.
Four replicates were prepared for each treatment and the
controls and laid in a Complete Randomized Design. The
experimental set-up was left in a wooden cage in the
laboratory for 12 days after which the insects were
removed and the numbers of egg plugs were identified and
counted after staining with acid fuchsin dye solution
(Frankenfeld, 1948) as discussed above. Thereafter, the
experimental set-up was kept undisturbed in a wooden
cage till the emergence of adults. The number of adults
that emerged were counted and recorded
Effect of Capsicum frutescens, Piper guineense and
Aframomum melegueta seed powders on grain
damage
Cotyledon powders of Capsicum frutescens, Piper
guineense and Aframomum melegueta at the rate of 0.3,
0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 g was added to 50 g clean and dis-infested
maize grains in a transparent plastic container. The
container was thoroughly shaken to enhance the spread of
the powders on the maize grains. Thereafter, 20 adult
beetles were introduced into the container. A control
without any powder was included in the set-up. Each
treated and control was replicated four times. Each plastic
container was covered with muslin cloth held tightly in
place with rubber band to prevent the escape of insects
Toxic Effects of some Pungent Smelling Seed Extracts and Powders on Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Infesting Stored Maize Grains
Int. J. Entomol. Nematol. 144
and to facilitate adequate ventilation. The experimental
set-ups were kept in a wooden cage in the laboratory for
90 days. After 90 days the seeds were assessed for seed
damage and weight loss. Percentage seed damage was
determined using the formula below:
Number of seeds damaged 100
% Seed damage =
Total number of seeds
× 1
Data analysis
All data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance
and where significant differences existed, means were
separated using Tukey’s test
RESULTS
Effect of seed powders of the test plants on mortality
of S. zeamais
The effects of seed powders of the test plants on mortality
of S. zeamais are presented in Table 1. All the seed
powders effectively caused mortality which is significantly
different from that of the control. Mortality of S. zeamais
increased gradually with time of exposure and the amount
of dosages used. Seed powders of C. frutescens caused
100 % mortality when treated with 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 g
by day 12 of exposure while all dosages of P. guineense
used caused 100 % mortality by days 9 and 12 of
exposure. The least effective seed powder is that of A.
melegueta which only caused 100 % mortality when
treated with 1.2 g seed powder.
Effect of seed extracts of the test plants on mortality
of S. zeamais
The extracts used caused high mortality of S. zeamais.
Weevil mortality also increased with increased in time of
exposure and concentration of extracts used. Weevils
mortality in the exrract-treated grains was significantly (p <
0.05) different from weevil mortality in untreated grains
(Table 2).
Maize grains treated with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 % of C.
frutescens and P. guineense seed extracts caused 100 %
mortality of S. zeamais by days 6, 9 and 12 after treatment.
C. frutescens seed extract caused 100 % mortality by day
3 on exposure to 2.0 % seed extract while that of P.
guineense was able to cause 100 % mortality when
exposed to 1.0 and 1.5 % seed extracts by day 3 of
exposure. Seed extracts of A. melegueta was able to effect
69.25, 78.15, 88.25 and 100 % mortality when treated with
0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 % seed extracts respectively.
Effect of seed powders of test plants on oviposition
and adult emergence of by S. zeamais
The seed powders used in this study drastically reduced
the number of eggs laid by S. zeamais (Table 3).
Obembe et al. 145

Oviposition was significantly lowered (P< 0.05) in powder-
treated grains than the control grains. Oviposition and
adult emergence decreased with increased in powder
dosages of all the seed powders used. No egg was laid in
maize grains treated with 1.2 g of C. frutescens and that of
9.0 and 1.2 g of P. guineense. No adult emerged in maize
grains treated with 9.0 and 1.2 g seed powders of C.
frutescens and that of 6.0, 9.0 and 1.2 g of P. guineense
Effect of seed extracts of the test plants on oviposition
and adult emergence of S. zeamais.
All extracts of the test plants caused reduction in the
number of eggs laid by the weevils (Table 4). Oviposition
by weevils was significantly lowered (P<0.05) in extract-
treated grains than the control grains. The number of eggs
laid and number of adults that emerged decreased with
increased in extracts concentration. Oviposition was totally
prevented in grains treated with 1.5 and 2.0 % extracts of
C. frutescens and P. guineense. There was no adult
emergence in grains exposed to 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 %
seed extracts of C. frutescens and P. guineense.
Oviposition and adult emergence were only prevented in
maize grains exposed to 2.0 % extracts of A. melegueta.
Protection of maize grains with seed powders of the
test plants
Seed powders of C. frutescens and P. guineense
completely prevented grain infestation and subsequent
grain damage and hence weight loss for a period of 90
days (Table 5). There was 26.94 and 10.25 % grain
damage and weight loss recorded respectively in maize
grains treated with seed powders of A melegueta
Protection of maize grains with seed extracts of the
test plants
Seed extracts of C. frutescens and P. guineense
completely prevented infestation and consequent damage
and weight loss by S zeamais for a period of 90 days
(Table 6). Seed extracts of A. melegueta drastically
reduced infestation, grain damage and weight loss for a
period of 90 days.

Table 1: Mean percentage mortality of S. zeamais treated with powders of Capsicum frutescens, Piper guineense and
Aframomum melegueta
Tested plants Dosage (g) Day 3 Day 6 Day 9 Day 12
C. frutescens 0.3 57.20±2.50cd 76.15±1.30b 84.25±3.25b 100.00±0.00a
0.6 68.50±4.20c 84.22±2.14b 95.15±1.00a 100.00±0.00a
0.9 77.15±2.08 b 88.45±0.25 b 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00a
1.2 82.50±3.50 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00a
A. melegueta 0.3 26.25±2.25 e 34.15±2.73 de 48.15±2.08 d 57.20±2.13d
0.6 28.75±3.25 e 45.38±7.78 d 54.22±7.78 d 68.15±7.40c
0.9 33.20±1.77 d 54.35±3.96 cd 68.15±2.22 c 70.50±2.34c
1.2 45.25±2.08d 62.15±3.06c 77.35±3.33c 80.50±2.13b
P. guineense 0.3 62.10±2.75c 92.25±3.11b 100.00±0.00a 100.00±0.00a
0.6 73.75±8.29b 100.00±0.00a 100.00±0.00a 100.00±0.00a
0.9 78.25±1.23 b 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00a
1.2 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00a
Control 0.0 0.00±0.00 f 0.00±0.00e 0.00±0.00e 0.00±0.00e
Each value is the mean ± standard error of four replicates. Means in the same column followed by the same letter(s) are
not significantly different at p ≥ 0.05 by Tukey’s test
Table 2: Mean percentage mortality of S. zeamais treated with extracts of Capsicum frutescens, Piper guineense and
Aframomum melegueta
Tested plants Conc % (v/w) Day 3 Day 6 Day 9 Day 12
C. frutescens 0.5 88.25±3.33b 100.00±0.00a 100.00±0.00a 100.00±0.00a
1.0 92.15±2.22 ab 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00a
1.5 98.30±1.33 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00a
2.0 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00a
A. melegueta 0.5 30.15±2.25 cd 38.25±3.30 bc 58.25±3.04 c 69.25±1.34cd
1.0 38.25±1.25 c 54.25±1.20 bc 65.25±2.20 c 78.15±3.40c
1.5 48.75±2.22c 62.35±1.22b 72.15±3.23bc 88.25±1.50b
2.0 60.25±2.08b 75.35±3.06b 88.15±4.08b 100.00±0.00a
P. guineense 0.5 92.25±1.77ab 100.00±0.00a 100.00±0.00a 100.00±0.00a
1.0 97.50±2.20 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00a
1.5 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00a
2.0 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00 a 100.00±0.00a
Control 0.0 0.00±0.00 d 0.00±0.00e 0.00±0.00e 0.00±0.00e
Each value is the mean ± standard error of four replicates. Means in the same column followed by the same letter(s) are
not significantly different at p ≥ 0.05 by Tukey’s test
Toxic Effects of some Pungent Smelling Seed Extracts and Powders on Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Infesting Stored Maize Grains
 Int. J. Entomol. Nematol. 146

Table 3: Mean oviposition count and adult emergence of Table 4: Mean oviposition count and adult emergence of
S. zeamais treated with powders of Capsicum frutescens, S. zeamais treated with exracts of Capsicum frutescens,
Piper guineense and Aframomum melegueta Piper guineense and Aframomum melegueta
Tested Conc. % No of eggs Mean No. of Tested plants Conc. % No of eggs laid Mean No. of
plants (v/w) laid adult emerged (v/w) adult emerged
C. frutescens 3.0 8.25±0.75cd 26.75±2.49b C. frutescens 0.5 6.35±1.40bc 0.00±0.00e
6.0 5.50±1.55d 12.20±2.24d 1.0 3.20±3.12 c 0.00±0.00e
9.0 3.15±2.20 d 0.00±0.00e 1.5 0.00±0.00 d 0.00±0.00e
1.2 0.00±0.00 e 0.00±0.00e 2.0 0.00±0.00 d 0.00±0.00e
A. melequeta 3.0 22.25±0.85b 32.15±2.13b A. melequeta 0.5 10.75±0.85b 38.15±2.20b
6.0 18.38±2.30b 16.20±1.15c 1.0 7.25±1.25bc 26.25±1.13c
9.0 16.12±3.22c 10.15±1.22d 1.5 4.35±1.32c 12.75±1.22d
1.2 12.20±1.15c 0.00±0.00e 2.0 0.00±0.00 d 0.00±0.00e
P. guineense 3.0 7.20±2.25cd 18.30±2.20c P. guineense 0.5 4.25±2.20 c 0.0.±0.00e
6.0 3.25±1.22d 0.00±0.00e 1.0 2.35±1.10 cd 0.00±0.00e
9.0 0.00±0.00 e 0.00±0.00e 1.5 0.00±0.00 .d 0.00±0.00e
1.2 0.00±0.00 e 0.00±0.00e 2.0 0.00±0.00 .d 0.00±0.00e
Control 0.0 30.25±0.75 a 56.15±2.75a Control 0.0 30.25±0.75 a 56.15±2.75a
Each value is the mean ± standard error of four replicates. Each value is the mean ± standard error of four replicates.
Means in the same column followed by the same letter(s) Means in the same column followed by the same letter(s)
are not significantly different at p ≥ 0.05 by Tukey’s test. are not significantly different at p ≥ 0.05 by Tukey’s test.

Table 5: Effect of Capsicum frutescens, Piper guineense and Aframomum melegueta seed powders on long term storage
of maize grains.
Name of Plant No. of seed Mean of damaged seed Mean % grain Mean % weight loss
C. frutescens 168.50 0.00±0.00 0.00±0.00c 0.00±0.00c
A. Melegueta 167.75 45.20±1.25 26.94±1.25 b 10.25±1.22b
P. guineense 169.25 0.00±0.00 0.00±0.00c 0.00±0.00c
Control (Untreated) 168.50 150.50±2.15 89.32±1.72 a 42.10±2.23a
Each value is the mean of 4 replicates. Mean in each column followed by the same alphabet(s) are not significantly
different (p ≥ 0.05) by Tukey’s test.

Table 6: Effect of Capsicum frutescens, Piper guineense and Aframomum melegueta seed extracts on long term storage
of maize grains.
Name of Plant No. of seed Mean of damaged seed Mean % grain Mean % weight loss
C. frutescens 170.20 0.00±0.00 0.00±0.00c 0.00±0.00c
A. Melegueta 168.50 33.25±2.25 13.80±1.25 b 12.35±2.20b
P. guineense 169.25 0.00±0.00 0.00±0.00c 0.00±0.00c
Control (Untreated) 170.20 152.20±3.15 89.32±1.55 a 40.20±3.33a
Each value is the mean of 4 replicates. Mean in each column followed by the same alphabet(s) are not significantly
different (p ≥ 0.05) by Tukey’s test
DISCUSSION use of plant extracts and powders in the control of weevils.
The observation in the present study tallies with the
The results obtained from this research showed that seed findings of Cobley and Steele, 1976; Ivbijaro and Agbaje,
extracts and powders of Capsicum frutescens, Piper 1986; Lale, 1992: Lajide et al., 1998; who observed that
guineense and Aframomum melegueta were found to be Powders and extracts of C. frutescens, P. guineense and
effective in the control of maize weevils, S. zeamais. Pipper umbellatum adversely affected the biology of maize
Extracts and powders of C. frutescens and P. guineense weevil and also cause high adult mortality. Also, Lale, 1992
were found to be very effective in the control of Sitophilus reported that Aligator pepper, A. melegueta seed powder
zeamais as revealed by their potency on the insect in term and extract have been found effective in controlling adult
of their ability to cause 100% mortality right from the sixth S. zeamais.
to twelfth day of exposure to the powders and extracts and
hence totally preventing oviposition and adult emergence. Oviposition and adult emergence by S. zeamais female
The powders also prevented grain damage and weight were totally inhibited in maize grains treated with C.
loss. The observed mortality can be ascribed to the frutescens and P. guineense powder and extract as
pungency of the extract and powder of C. frutescens and against their oviposition in the untreated maize grains.
P. guineense. It can also be due to their pepperish nature. Boeke et al., 2001 has also reported that plant extracts
Some interesting developments have been made in the induce reduction or complete inhibition of oviposition by

Toxic Effects of some Pungent Smelling Seed Extracts and Powders on Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Infesting Stored Maize Grains
Obembe et al. 147
female coleopteran pests and also effected the mortality of
the developmental stages. The ability of the powder and
extract to cause 100 % mortality in the present study may
also be due to respiratory impairment, which must have
probably affected the process of metabolism and hence
the functioning of the body system of the beetle
(Onolemhemhem and Oigiangbe, 1991). The significant
reduction in adult emergence was as a result of the
efficacy of the powder and extract. Botanical insecticides
weaken adult weevil suppressing or totally preventing
oviposition and causing reduction in hatchability of the
eggs to larvae and final metamorphosis to adults. The
effectiveness of different non-synthetic chemical products
to various storage insect pests of stored products have
been reported by several authors (Huang et al., 2000; Oni
and Ileke 2008; Adedire et al., 2011). It was also reported
that botanical based products may act as fumigant,
repellent, stomach poison and physical barrier against
various insects (Adedire et al., 2011). Higher concentration
of the extracts and higher dosage of the powder could be
more effective in insect control since it is expected to
contain more active ingredients
The result obtained from this study confirmed that extracts
and powders of Piper guineense and Capsicum frutescens
were very effective in controlling the population of S.
zeamais.
REFERENCES
Adedire CO, and Ajayi TS. (1996). Assessment of the
insecticidal properties of some plant extracts as grain
protectants against maize weevils, Sitophilus zeamais
Motschlsky. Niigeria journal of entomology 13:93-101.
Adedire CO, Obembe OO, Akinkurolele RO, Oduleye O.
(2011). Response of Callosobruchus maculatus
(Coleoptera: Chysomelidae: Bruchidae) to extracts of
cashew kernels. Journals of Plant Diseases and
Protection, 118(2):75-79.
Asawalam EF, Hassanali A. (2006). Constituents of the
essential oil of Vernonia amygdalina as maize weevil
protectants. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems
6:95-1002.
Boeke SJ, Van loon JJ, Van Huss, A, Kossou DK, Dike M.
(2001). The use of plant products to protect stored
leguminous seeds against seed beetles: A review.
Bockhuys publishers, Netherland, pp. 105.
Cobley LS, Steele WM. (1976). An introduction to Botany
of Tropical Crops (second Edition) Longman, London,
371pp.
Echendu TNC. (1991). Ginger, Cashew and Neem as
surface protectants of Cowpea against infestation and
damage by Callosobruchus maculatus F. Trop Sci.
31:209-211.
Frankenfeld IC. (1948). Staining method of detecting
weevil infestation in grains. U.S. Department of
Agriculture. Bureau of Entomological Plant Quarantine
E.T. 256. Resources-poor farmers.
Toxic Effects of some Pungent Smelling Seed Extracts and Powders on Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Infesting Stored Maize Grains
Golob P, Moss C, Dales M, Fidgen A, Evans J, Gudrups I.
(1999). The use of spices and medicinals as bioactive
protectants for grains. FAO Agricultural Services
Bulletin No. 137. Food and Agriculture Organisation of
United Nations, Rome
Huang Y, Lam SL and Ho, S.H (2000). Bioactivities of
essential oil from Ellataria cardomomum (L.) Maton
to Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky and Tribolium
castaneum (Herbst). Journal of Stored Products
Research 36: 107-117.
Ivbijaro MF and Agbaje M. (1986). Insecticidal activities of
Piper guineese Schum and Thonn, and Capsicum
species on the cowpea bruchid, Callosobruchus
maculatus F. Insect Science and its Application 7:521-
524.
Jayas DS, White NDG, Muir WE. (eds.), Stored Grain
Ecosystem. Marcel Dekker, New York. Pp.169-195.
Lajide L, Adedire CO, Muse WA and Agele SO. (1998).
Insecticidal activities of Powders of some Nigeria Plants
against the Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.
In: lale N.E.S, Molta NB.
Lale NES (1992). A Laboratory study of the comparative
toxicity of Products from three Plant species to the
Maize weevil. Post-harvest Biology and Technology
2:61-65
NRI. (1996). Nigeria Federal Ministry of Agriclture and
Natural Resources and overseas Development
Administration of British Government (1996). Insects
Pest of Nigeria Crop. Identification, Biology and control.
Chatham, UK. Natural Resources Institute 253pp
Nwana IE. (1993). A survey of storage coleoptera which
attack dry cocoyam chips in Nigeria. J. Stored Prod
Res. 29(1):95-98.
Obembe OM, Kayode J. (2018). Evaluation of toxic
properties of Cotyledon Powders and Oils of Sandbox,
Hura crepitan L. against Sitophilus zeamais
Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Bioscience
Research Bulletin 34(2):40-47.
Obembe OM, Ojo DO. (2018). Toxicity and oviposition
inhibitory effect of Extract and Powder of Momordica
charantia Leaf against Callosobruchus maculatus
Fabricius (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Sored
Cowpea Seed. Journal of Bioscience and
Biotechnology Discovery, 3:65-70
Ofuya TI, Lale NES. (2001). Pests of Stored Cereals and
Pulses in Nigeria. Biology, Ecology and Control. Dave
Collins Publication, Nigeria pp. 69
Onolemhemhem OP, Oigiangbe ON. (1991). The Biology
of Callosobruchus maculatus F. on cowpea (Vigna
unguiculata) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.)
treated with vegetable oil of Thioral samaras. J Agric
Res. 8:57-63
Okosun,OO, Adedire CO. (2010). Potency to cowpea seed
bruchud, Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius.
(Coleoptera: Bruchidae), of African nut meg seed
(Monodora myristica (Gaertn.) Dunal) extracted with
different solvents. Nig. J. Entomol., 27:89-95.
Rouanet, G. (1992). The Tropical Agriculturist, CTA,
Macmillan, London pp. 1002.
 Int. J. Entomol. Nematol. 148

Oni MO, Ileke KD. (2008). Fumigant toxicity of four

botanical plant oils on survival, egg laying and progeny
development of the dried yam beetle, Dinoderus
porcellus (Coleoptera: Bostrichiba), Ibadan Journal
of Agricultural Research, 4(2):31-36
Throne JE. (1994). Computer modeling of the population
dynamics of Stored-Products pests. In: Jayas,D.S.,
White N.D.G and Muir, W.E. (eds.). Stored grain
Ecosystem. Marcel Dekker, New York pp.169-195.

Accepted 21 November 2019

Citation: Obembe OM, Olanrewaju OD, Adedayo OA

(2020). Toxic Effects of some Pungent Smelling Seed
Extracts and Powders on Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky
(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Infesting Stored Maize
Grains. International Journal of Entomology and
Nematology, 6(1): 142-148.

Copyright: © 2020 Obembe et al. This is an open-access

article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted
use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original author and source are cited.

Toxic Effects of some Pungent Smelling Seed Extracts and Powders on Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Infesting Stored Maize Grains