MANAGEMENT OF INSECT PESTS OF BAMBARA GROUNDNUT (VIGNA SUBTERRANEAN (L.) VERDC.) IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Tribolium castaneum, commonly known as the red flour beetle is a major stored 5grain 5pest and 5found 5in 5granaries 5of 5wheat, 5cereals, 5beans, 5pasta, 5crackers, 5mixed 5cake, 5dried 5flowers and 5pet 5food, 5seeds, 5chocolate, 5meal, 5spices, 5nuts 5and 5even 5in 5museum 5dried 5artistic specimens. 5The 5insect 5is 53.5 5mm 5long 5reddish 5brown 5beetle. 5The 5beetle 5can 5survive 5up 5to three 5years 5of 5age 5as 5an 5adult 5and 5is 5regarded 5as 5a 5sedentary 5insect. 5The 5insect 5has 5the ability 5to 5disperse 5via 5flight 5up 5to 5considerable 5long distances. 5The 5particular 5beetle 5has 5a close 5resemblance 5to 5confused 5flour 5beetle 5except 5it 5has 5three 5defining 5clubs 5at 5the 5end 5of each 5antenna. 5Its 5antennae 5are 5club 5type 5with 5the 5inclusion 5of 5three 5segments. 5 The 5beetle has 5a 5curvy 5thorax. The 5use 5of 5plant 5materials 5as 5traditional 5protectants 5of 5stored 5products is an old 5practice 5used 5all 5over 5the world. 5The 5protection 5of 5stored 5products 5generally 5involves mixing 5grains 5with 5plant 5based 5protectants. Provision 5of 5a 5sound 5background 5for 5T. castaneum5species 5identification 5as 5well 5as 5for 5the 5establishment 5of 5higher 5taxonomic classification 5and 5for 5consideration 5on 5the 5beetles 5evolutionary 5development, 5will 5have 5a 5long way 5in 5reducing 5if 5not 5total 5prevention 5of 5resistant 5menace 5of 5various 5species 5to 5adoption of 5management 5strategies 5of 5T. 5castaneum. KEYWORDS