LEAF POWDERS OF BASIL (OCIMUM BASILICUM L.), LANTANA (LANTANA CAMARA L.) AND GARDENIA (GARDENIA JASMINOIDES ELLIS) AFFECT BIOLOGY OF CALLOSOBRUCHUS CHINENSIS L. (COLEOPTERA: BRUCHIDAE)

The effect of leaf powders of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), Lantana (Lantana camara L.) and Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) on the biology of Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) was studied to provide information on alternatives that can be applied in small storage facilities of the chickpea seeds. A weight of 50 gram chickpea seeds was mixed separately with 0.5 g, 1.0 g, 1.5g and 2.0 g of leaf powders of these plants. Life history parameters; larval and pupal duration, fecundity, adult emergence and egg hatching) were observed in the next generation of the survivors of mortality test. The presence of leaf powders of three plants had significantly affected survival of adult beetles. Mortality increased with increasing amount of leaf powders. Highest and significant mortality was observed in 2:50 ratio of leaf powders and chickpea seeds combination. Control treatment had 50% mortality of values in leaf powder treatments after 24-hours of release of beetles. The highest number of eggs (158.7) was counted from the control treatment as compared to only 9.33 eggs in 2:50 ratio of Basil and chickpea combination. Development time (Larval + pupal durations) was prolonged with increasing amount of leaf powders. Emergence and egg hatching was significantly low in the leaf powders’ treatment. Control of C. chinensis in chickpea with insecticide grain protectants can be dangerous due to its residual effect, Application of plant powders to chickpea seeds for household storages of the chickpea especially in months of infestation can be effective alternate