Insecticidal and Insect Reproductive Inhibition Potential of Citrus Peel Powder on Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

Nta, A.I., Okweche S.I. and Udo, I.A.

Insecticidal efficacy of citrus (Citrus spp) peel powder (CPP) against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) was carried out in the Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, Nigeria. Treatments constituted CPP (orange, tangerine, lemon, grape and lime) admixed separately with maize grain (popcorn) at different dosages of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 g per 50 g equivalent to 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 % w/w laid out in completely randomized design with four replications. Parameters measured included mortality, larval development, adult emergence and weight loss. Sweet orange and Tangerine at 8 and 10 % w/w were efficacious compared to other treatments as they significantly caused higher mortality of T. castaneum, reduced oviposition, larval development, and inhibited adult emergence as well significantly reduced weight loss. Increase in concentration resulted to increase in efficacy. Therefore, Tangerine and sweet orange peel powders can serve as a protectant against T. castaneum at a higher concentration. Key words: Citrus peel, Tribolium castaneum, mortality, oviposition, popcorn