Abstract:
lndiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides for i#ect pest management has resulted in
many harmful effects like, insect resistance, effects on the beneficial organisms etc.
There is a need to use alternative methods for insect pest controlto reduce the frequency
of insecticides utilized for pest management. ln this context, the present study was
designed to determine the efficacy of different botanical pesticides against major cowpea
pests; leaf miner' pod borer and aphids. Four plant-derived products viz. neem seed
extract 5%, neem oil 3o/o, garlic and green chilli paste 2% and garlic extract 1%owere
tested along with a synthetic insecticide, dimethoate 400 gllEC to examine their bioefficacy
in order to control the cowpea pests successfully. Population of aphids and percentage
of damage by leaf miner and.pod borer were assessed f.or each treatment. Antifeedant
index of the synthetic,arld botanical pesticides dgainst leaf miner and pod borer was
estimated. The results ievealed that neerfr seed extra,ct 5% showed a significant reduction
(P<0'05) in aphid population and the l6ast darirage.f,ercentage of leaf miner (11%) and
pod borer (13'0%) among the botanicals tested. A slgnificanily higher antifeedant index
was also recorded t1lfre treatm.epi of the neem seed extract against leaf miner (s3.0%)
and pod borer (81.8%). The synthetic inse9ticide,dimet[oa1e registered the highest
antifeedant activity. Hente, this"study elucidates that use or nebm sJeo extract sz coulo
be suggested to manage the cowpea pests as it has been found to have very promising
bioefficacy against these pests
