Field infestation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) pods by beetles of the families Bruchidae and Curculionidae in Northern Nigeria

Summary

An account is given of a study of infestation of cowpea pods in the field in Northern Nigeria by the weevil, Piezotrachelus varius (Wagn.), and the Bruchids, Bruchidius atrolineatus (Pic) and Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). Oviposition by Bruchids did not commence until the pods were fully formed and light green in colour, whilst infestation by P. varius originated in the young pods. Observations indicated that a high level of parasitism of Bruchid eggs occurred, but that the majority of Hymenopterous parasites emerging from within the pods were related to P. varius.

When pods were harvested at regular intervals, large numbers of P. varius emerged from the early harvests only. B. atrolineatus was the predominant Bruchid species emerging, particularly from early harvests. In the case of a single final harvest of pods, large numbers of P. varius, and a higher level of infestation by B. atrolineatus than in pods collected at regular intervals, were recorded.

Shelling of four batches of pods indicated a mean of 11 per cent, of seeds attacked by Bruchids in the case of single final harvests, and a mean of only 3·5 per cent, in the case of regular harvests as pods became dry. It is concluded that a considerable improvement in quality would result from an adoption of the latter method by farmers, provided that some method of control in respect of the harvested pods were introduced.

From the observations made it is concluded that P. varius is a true field pest, B. atrolineatus primarily a field pest able to continue infestation in store to a very limited extent, and C. maculatus primarily a store pest able to commence its infestation in pods in the field and to build up in numbers rapidly during the immediate post-harvest storage period.

The normal manner of cultivation precludes the use of field methods of control at oviposition peaks but observations suggest that elimination of secondary hosts of P. varius and B. atrolineatus might be worthwhile. A reduction in oviposition by C. maculatus by treatment of stored cowpeas in growing areas, and treatment of pods during the immediate post-harvest storage period, should considerably reduce the level of infestation by this species.