IDENTIFICATION OF COWPEA WEEVIL (Callosobruchus maculatus L. Walp) IN SOME SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF KWARA STATE

This research work was conducted to determine the Morphometric diversity of Callosobruchus maculatus in six Local Government areas of Kwara State, (Ifelodun, Irepodun, Asa, Ilorin West, Ilorin East and Ilorin South). Three (3) markets were surveyed in each of the six (6) local government areas and one measure of infested cowpea with Callosobruchus maculatus (Bean weevil) was obtained in each market. Five (5) bean weevils (Callosobruchus maculatus) from each of the three locations (market) were kept in different transparent containers containing ethanol solution and labeled (for the different location at which they were obtained). The samples were taken to the insect laboratory (insect museum) of the Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna state for classification. The data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using statistical package version 9.0 and mean were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5 % probability. The result obtained showed that Asa and Ilorin South had the largest diversification of Callosobruchus maculatus and only Callosobruchus maculatus was identified in all the six (6) selected Local Government Areas of Kwara State.