Militia feruginaea solvent extracts on maize weevils and red flour beetles repellency; an implication to use them in storage pest management in Ethiopia

Abstract

Millettia ferruginea leaf solvent extracts were tested for repellency against the most important pests of stored maize; the maize weevils and the red flour beetles. 2.5%, 5%, and 10% dosages were applied in 9 cm Whatman number 1 filter paper, with dividing it into three parts. The untreated portion was used as a control, while the neutral was served as the insect release portion. Significantly (P 55%) repellency was recorded in all M. ferruginea leaf polar solvent extracts applied at rates of 5% and 10%, at 2 days after treatment than nonpolar and partial polar solvent extract treatments, and the untreated check. One hundred percent weevils and beetles repellency were recorded in all M. ferruginea leaf polar extract treatments applied at rates of 10%, at 3 days after treatment. Therefore, the M. ferruginea leaf polar solvent extracts were potent, and they could be used in the management of the maize weevils and the red flour beetles in stored maize, at 5% and 10% dosages, under farmers’ storage conditions in Ethiopia. However, the crude extracts effect on a human beings, natural enemies, and the cost-effectiveness under farmers’ storage conditions needs further study.

Keywords

• botanical
• red flour beetles
• maize weevils
• millettia ferruginea
• repellency
• stored maize