Effects of neem, Azadirachta indica on six species of maize insect pests

Abstract

Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of neem, Azadirachta indica against corn earworm (CEW), Heliocoverpa zea fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda sugarcane borer (SCB), Diatraea saccharalis southwestern corn borer (SWCB), Diatraea grandiosella maize weevil (MW), Sitophilus zeamais and larger grain borer (LGB), Prostephanus truncatus. Neem seed powder at the rate of 5 g and 10 g, and neem seed oil at the rate of 1 ml per kg of meridic diets, were incorporated into the diet of CEW, FAW, SCB and SWCB. Maize grain was treated with 5 and 10 ml neem seed oil per kg of grain and infested with adult MW and LGB. The presence of neem seed powder and neem seed oil in the diets significantly reduced the survival and growth of CEW, FAW, SCB and SWCB. Neem oil also had significant effects on the survival of MW. In the case of LGB the effects of neem oil, however, were not profound. Results indicate that neem has good potential to be used as a control agent for the CEW, FAW, SCB, SWCB and MW.

Keywords:

• Neem
• Azadirachta indica
• Helicoverpa zea
• Spodoptera frugiperda
• Diatraea saccharalis
• Diatraea grandiosella
• Sitophilus zeamais
• Prostephanus truncatus
• antifeedant