Field trials of formulated neem seed oil at different rates and frequencies on pigeonpea flower blister beetle, Mylabris pustulata Thunberg in Owerri Rainforest Zone, Nigeria

In this study, the efficacy of Formulated Neem Seed Oil (FNSO) on the population of blister beetle, Mylabris pustulata Thunberg (Coleoptera: Meloidae) was evaluated. The data were recorded from beginning of May 2009 and 2010 planting seasons. The experiment was laid out in 3×5 factorial comprising three rates of neem seed oil, 4.2 L ha–1, 8.3 L ha–1,12.5 L ha–1 with Control (0 L ha–1), and synthetic pyrethroid, cypermethrin (1.5L ha–1) as checks plots. There were also three intervals of application: once a week, once in two weeks, and once in three weeks. Results showed that application of F-NSO at higher dosage of 12.5L ha–1 and at four regime spraying intervals of once a week significantly (P<0.05) reduced the population of blister beetles on flowers of short duration pigeonpea cultivar (ICPL 84023). This effective application dose of 12.5L ha–1 at four regime spraying intervals of once a week can be an ideal Integrated Pest Management tool for the management of M. pustulata in Rainforest Zone of Southeastern, Nigeria.