(COLEOPTERA: BRUCHIDAE)

The insecticidal activity of three cultivars of Capsicum species, Atarodo (Cayenne pepper), Tatase (sweet pepper) and Sombo (long Cayenne pepper) extracted with three organic solvents (hexane, ethanol and acetone) at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0 ml/20 g cowpea seed on the cowpea seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (FAB.), was studied in a 3×3×7 factorial experimental set-up using the completely randomized design. Results indicated that extracts from Atarodo were the most effective in reducing oviposition, adult emergence, seed damage and seed weight loss followed by Sombo and Tatase. Hexane proved to be the best extracting solvent in terms of the foregoing parameters, followed by ethanol and acetone. Atarodo extracted with hexane at all the rates tested proved to be the best as it resulted in 100 % adult mortality and lowest seed damage. Specifically, extracts from Atarodo and Sombo gave 51-95 % seed germination, while inhibition of seed germination occurred at all rates of extracts from Tatase. It was concluded that extracts from Tatase should not be used to treat cowpea seeds meant for planting to avoid germination failure. However, all Capsicum extracts at the concentrations tested proved to be potent bioinsecticide against the seed bruchid by protecting stored cowpea seeds over a period of 3months