Abstract: Banana borer weevil is a major insect pest of banana and plantain in Cameroon. The undesirable effects of synthetic insecticides have attracted global attention and there is urgent need for alternative measures. This study consisted of a survey and five laboratory experiments, to investigate farmers’ perceptions of the weevil in Fako Division of Cameroon, and the insecticidal potential of the aqueous extract of neem and wood ash as alternative sources for its management. A structured questionnaire was administered in several villages in the study area. For the laboratory experiments, the treatments were the aqueous extract of neem (25, 50, 75 and 100%), wood ash (20%), mocap® (positive control) and water (negative control). Majority of the farmers (49.6%) used mocap® to control the weevil; 29.2% used at least one cultural practice, 11.2% applied wood ash while 10% employed other methods. At 14 days after exposure (DAE), the aqueous extract of neem at 75 and 100% resulted in 79% mortality of the adult weevil; 50% of the extract caused 68% mortality similar to wood ash; 25% of the extract killed 42% of them. Corms treated with water had 0% mortality throughout while those with mocap® had 100% mortality 1 DAE. The number of weevils that settled on corms treated with the extract at 50 and 75% (<1.5) and wood ash (≤1.9) was less than that on the control corms with water (≥6.2). The extract at 50 and 75% and wood ash inhibited weevil oviposition (<2 eggs laid/corm) and larva emergence (zero larva) significantly. These treatments also significantly increased the average time each larva spent locating a feeding site, initiating feeding and boring into discs compared to control discs with water. The potency of these treatments on the mortality of the weevil lasted for three to four weeks. Therefore, the aqueous extract of neem and wood ash offer a promising, affordable, environmentally friendly and cost-effective option which could be incorporated into an integrated package for sustainable management of the banana borer weevil.Abstract: Banana borer weevil is a major insect pest of banana and plantain in Cameroon. The undesirable effects of synthetic insecticides have attracted global attention and there is urgent need for alternative measures. This study consisted of a survey and five laboratory experiments, to investigate farmers’ perceptions of the weevil in Fako Division of Ca...Show More
