Effects of Maruca vitrata multi-nucleopolyhedrovirus and neem oil, Azadirachta indica Juss on the eggs of the cowpea pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

• Published in: International journal of tropical insect science 2019-12, Vol.39 (4), p.333-339
• Main Authors: Traoré, F., Waongo, A., Ba, M.N., Dabiré, C., Sanon, A., Tamò, M., Pittendrigh, B. R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural practices; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Borers; Chemical pest control; Cowpeas; Eggs; Entomology; Hatching; Insects; Integrated pest management; Larvae; Legumes; Leguminous plants; Life Sciences; Maruca vitrata; Mortality; Neem; Neem oil; Original Research Article; Pest control; Pesticides; Pests; Vegetable oils; Viability; Vigna unguiculata
• ISSN: 1742-7592; 1742-7584; 1742-7592
• DOI: 10.1007/s42690-019-00061-2

Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., is the most cultivated and consumed legume in West Africa and is typically attacked by several insect pests, including Maruca vitrata , leading to reduced yields. This study assessed under laboratory conditions the efficacy of neem oil and M. vitrata multi-nucleopolyhedrovirus ( Mavi MNPV) against M. vitrata eggs as alternatives to second generation pesticides. Hatching and mortality rates after biopesticide application of neem oil, Mavi MNPV, and the two in combination reduced the egg viability by 89%, 84% and 91%, respectively. Moreover, the combination of Mavi MNPV and neem oil induced 100% mortality among the hatched larvae, compared to 60% and 100% alone, respectively. Implications for using these biopesticides are discussed within an integrated pest management (IPM) context.