Potential of Light Spectra as a Control of Cowpea Weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus, Activity

Damage of stored cowpea by the weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus, is of great concern in Nigeria. The study investigated the potential of light spectra in the control of the bean weevil; In the first trial, ten individual bean weevils were directly irradiated with green, yellow, red and white and ambient(control) light generated by electric bulbs at 25 Watts. In the second trial, ten individual weevils were housed with 700 bean seeds and exposed to the light spectra. Each light treatment was replicated thrice and weevils were exposed for two hours daily for 10days. Mortality of the bean weevils was monitored daily, and percentage bean damage was determined in 10days. Data obtained were expressed as mean (±SD);mean damaged beans were compared by analysis of variance and separated by Duncan multiple range test at p