In an attempt to ®nd natural and cheaper methods for the control of stored-product pests of cereals,
some traditionally useful Ghanaian plant materials were evaluated. Hexane+isopropyl alcohol extract
of leaves of Ocimum viride proved most eective in the control of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera:
Tenebrionidae) and Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), followed by that of Chromolaena
odorata. O. viride showed strong repellent activity and thus deterred the insects from feeding. It reduced
survival of both insect pests to less than 25% after 10 days of treatment at concentrations of 0.1 mg
ml
ÿ1 and above. The results show the potential of O. viride and C. odorata in the control of stored-
product insects. 7 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.