Maize (Zea mays) is the most stable and nutritious food in Ethiopia. Sitophilus zeamais is a serious pest of stored maize. The present study evaluated the effects of botanical powders on F1, F2 and F3 progeny emergence under laboratory condition. The experiment was laid out in complete block design with three replications and twelve treatments. Ten pairs of maize weevils were exposed to botanical powders of five plant species namely; Calpurnia aurea, Eucalyptus globulus, Vernonia amygdalina, Leonotis ocymifolia and Justica schimperiana at a rate of 2, 5, 8 and 11% along with Malathion 5% dust and control. The weevils were exposed for 40, 80 and 120 days. Higher mean number of F1, F2 and F3 progeny emergence was recorded in untreated grain/control (85, 60 and 80%), followed by V. amygdalina (11, 6.33 and 4% at a rate of 2, 2 and 11%) and E. globulus (7.43, 3.33 and 2.67% at a rate of 2, 2 and 2%) after 40, 80 and 120 days of exposure, respectively. However, there were no F1, F2 and F3 progeny emergence in maize grain treated with Malathion 5% dust and C. aurea 40 and 80 days after exposure, which provided 100% of inhibition progeny production in the grain. Therefore, C. aurea and L. ocimyfolia botanicals are recommended for use against F1, F2 and F3 progeny emergence of S. zeamais in stored maize.

Keywords: Botanical powders, evaluation, progeny emergence, Sitophilus zeamais