THE EFFICACY OF Azadirachta indica (NEEM PLANT) LEAF POWDER AGAINST MAIZE WEEVIL, Sitophilus zeamais MOTSCHULSKY

The experiment was set up to assess the insecticidal properties of Azadirachta indica (neem plant) leaf powder on Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky. laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD), using four replications each for two treatments and also control (untreated), from December, 2012 March, 2013 at University Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. These were incubated 46 days; F1 progeny weevil mortality taken daily. Temperature relative humidity ranged 290C 310C 70% 83% respectively. Mortality highest (3.25) 10g concentration lowest (0.25) untreated (control). Progeny emergence (187.50) (control) (20.75) concentration. mean maize grains significantly different (P<0.05) treated grains. Analysis variance showed that powders caused significant weevil, zeamais. There however, no difference between concentrations, but there concentrations control. study suggests can be used as good alternative pesticides against