Comparative analysis of damage sustained by unprotected cowpea varieties from the attack of Callosobruchus maculatus

Abstract

Comparative analysis of damage sustained by unprotected cowpea varieties from the attack of Callosobruchus maculatus was carried out within six months.Three varieties of cowpea (large white,sokoto  white and drum)were collected from some major markets in Akure,Ondo state,Nigeria.samples of each varietiety at collection were found to be free of insect attack and there was no holes in them.under strict monitoring in the storage each variety exhibited 100% hole at various points.under laboratory experiment,each variety was susceptible to C.maculatus attack,though with some varying degree of susceptibility.cowpea(sokoto white variety)appears to be most resistant to C.maculatus attack than the large white and drum cowpea varieties under prevailing ambient temperature and relative humidity.In Nigeria,C.maculatus is a cosmopolitan pest of stored seeds of cowpea,as such a need to give a comprrehensive study on the resistance of cowpea to this pest.