Evaluation of Beeswax Application for the Control of Callosobruchus maculatus in Stored Cowpea.

Loses due to Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) infestation in storage is colossal and sourcing efficient protectants remains unattained. The objectives of this study were to formulate a method that ensures uniform coating of seed testa, determine the impact of bee wax on the mortality and F1 survival of C maculatus, to also determine the impact of the protective treatment on damage, grain loss, grain weight and market value after C maculatus infestation. Bee wax was obtained and processed into a concentrated solution to allow for thorough coating of the seeds. An absolute ethanol was used as the solvent and a positive control and different coating concentrations were used for the experiments. Three different experimental procedures were carried out in accordance with requirement of the objectives. The obtained data were analyzed using ANOVA and probit models with the aid of IBM SPSS software. The findings highlighted a progressive mortality record of C maculatus exposed to different concentrations of bee wax, beewax (WX) at 30% concentration gave the highest value of toxicity (97.5%) compared to the positive and negative control (35.0 and 57.5), the mortality was dose related, and the maximum concentration (30%) of beewax (WX) caused a decline in offspring emergence with the occurrence of fewer eggs on the coated grain as a result leading to very low number of emergence (16%) when compared to positive control (39%) and negative control (26%). Also, Bee wax (WX) at 30% concentration considerably lowered (p<0.05) grain deterioration (6%) and loss in weight (2%) in which the control recorded the highest level of grain deterioration (70%) and weight reduction (43%). The effectiveness of this beehive product displayed a dose-dependent response. The Evaluation of the bioactive components of Apis mellifera which include phenol, flavonoid and tannin and also the coating effectiveness of Bee wax due to the presence of oil in its component could be recommended or incorporated into integrated pest management (IPM) practices.