Evaluation of Marble Dust for Control of the Maize Weevil. Sitophilus zeatnais Motsch. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae
DOI:36108/NJE/6002/32.0110
NWAUBANL S.I.
ABSTRACT
Marble stones obtained from a quarry in Okpella, Edo State, were manually ground, sieved into fine dust and tested under laboratory conditions in Sapele. Delta State. Nigeria, for efficacy against the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Morsch. At the rates of 2, 5 and 109 per 100 g maize. the marble dust effectively controlled adult S zeamais and reduced progeny production significantly (P<0.05). Weevils avoided contact with grains treated with the dust. In pilot scale study over 12-month duration, all rates of dust significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed S zeamais population growth and damage. Chemical analysis of the dust did not detect the presence of poisonous heavy metals such as lead (II) (Pb2+) and cadmium (II) (Cd2+). Prospects of integrating marble dust with other pest control measures were discussed.