Abstract
EFFICACY OF SOME BOTANICAL EXTRACTS IN THE CONTROL OF KHAPRA BEETLE (Trogoderma granarium)

Ethanolic extracts of different plant parts, viz., neem Azadirachta indica (seeds), Sodom apple Calotropis procera (leaves), argel Solenostemma argel (leaves), and scorpion root Aristolochia bracteolata (shoots), were evaluated at three rates (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0%) as natural insecticides against the 3rd instar larvae of Trogoderma granarium. Parameters studied were; insect mortality, damage inflicted on treated seeds and test of sorghum germination. The results of bioassay showed that all plants have insecticidal effects on the tested insect with variable levels. Neem extract treatments revealed significantly the highest mortality percentages (62.5 – 95%) after one month, followed by C. procera, S. argel and A. bracteolata. Each plant extract showed increased mortality levels in relation to concentration. Accordingly, the least damage on sorghum seeds was shown by neem extract. No negative impact has appeared on seed germination from all treatments, which seemed to reflect stimulant effect. Hence, neem seed was the best among all tested plant parts to be utilized for combating T. granarium.