Vegetable powders in the control of Sitophilus zeamais (Mots.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in stored corn grains

Vegetable powders in the control of weevils

Abstract

Insect attack during storage is one of the main causes of losses in maize grain production. The purpose of this research was to investigate the insecticidal action potential of nettle and spiked pepper powder on weevils (Sitophilus zeamais) on corn grains. The experiment was carried out in the laboratory, with evaluation of the dry powder of nettle leaves (Urtica urens L.) and spiked pepper (Piper aduncum L.) at 3% in grains infested with 0, 8, 16 and 24 individuals in 80 g of grains. A completely randomized design was used on a 4x3 factorial scheme (four insect densities and three treatments with powders), with four replications. The experiment was evaluated after 50 days of storage using the parameters: number of live weevils, number of dead weevils, reduction of grain weight, number of grains damaged by weevils and grains water content. The powder of Piper aduncum is promising for the control of Sitophilus zeamais in stored corn grains.