Idoko, J.E.

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Under laboratory conditions (28 ± 3oC and 65 ± 5% RH) in Akure, Nigeria, rice husk powder, Rice husk ash and rice grain powders were tested separately as anti-ovipositant against freshly emerged adults of Callosobruchus maculatus. The powders and ash were applied at the rates of 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0g per 20g of cowpea seeds in small plastic containers with tight fitted lids. Each container was shaken such that each powder made contact with the seeds and 2 pairs of insects. The eggs of C. maculatus were counted at once after 14 days of insect infestation. Experimental findings indicated that paddy product treatment significantly inhibited oviposition against C. maculatus as compared to untreated seeds. Number of eggs laid by C. maculatus on the seeds dereased with increasing rates of rice husk ash, rice husk powder and rice grain powder respectively. At the highest rate of application of 1.0g of paddy products per 20g of cowpea seed, oviposition by C. maculatus was reduced by more than 50% in comparison with the control. Rice husk ash recorded the lowest oviposition by C. maculatus, followed closely by rice husk powder and rice grain powder Key words: Callosobruchus maculatus, oviposition, paddy rice product and anti-ovipositant