Citrus Oils as Protectants of Black-Eyed Peas Against Cowpea Weevils: Laboratory Evaluation1

Abstract

Peel oils of 8 different citrus fruits were each extracted and applied to the surfaces of black-eyed peas. Lack of progeny from adult Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) exposed Oil the treated peas showed that these oils could be effective in control of this insect species. There was no insect emergence from peas treated with lemon oil after the treated peas had aged 87 days, and emergence was low compared with that of the control even 312 days after the peas were treated. Cowpea weevils did not develop in artificial peas made from black-eyed pea flour containing 0.1% of lemon or grapefruit oil, 0.3% of lime oil, or 0.5% of tangerine oil.