Synergistic Effects of Wood Ash and Essential Oil on Fecundity, Pupal Eclosion and Adult Mortality of Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) Cowpea Seed Weevil

Abstract

Aims: The use of residual synthetic chemicals, although effective against stored product pests, has led to environmental degradation. However, the risk of target pests developing resistance to insecticides in addition to the high costs of synthetic insecticides has pushed researchers to find alternative control methods. Plant-based insecticides represent a suitable alternative control method because they are less toxic to non-target organisms and biodegradable. The present study investigates the potency of essential oil and wood ashes in the control of the stored product pest Original Research Article