Status of Pea Weevil (Bruchus pisorum) in Central and Southeastern Oromia, Ethiopia

Background and Objective: Pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum) is an important, field to store insect pest of field peas. Information on the distribution and losses due to B. pisorum is insufficient in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to assess the distribution, farmers’ knowledge and perceptions, pest management practices, storage structures and quantify losses due to B. pisorum in four districts of Central and Southeastern Oromia, Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: Through random sampling, 386 representative samples were drawn from the four districts using a multistage sampling technique. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. A statistical package for social sciences was employed to analyze the data. Results: The results revealed that 64, 60, 50 and 56.1% of farmers in Cheliya, Liben Jawi, Munesa and Lemu Bilbillo districts, respectively were not aware of B. pisorum as a pest of field pea. More than 50% of the farmers in the study districts did not practice pest management for field peas. There were no significant differences among the study areas and between the storage structures in the mean percentage of grain damage and grain weight losses due to B. pisorum. However, grain damage ranging from 0-2.18% and grain weight losses ranging from 0-1.24% were recorded in all the study locations, respectively. Conclusion: The current study revealed that there was a lack of awareness in the study areas on insect pests of field peas. Minimum grain damage was recorded in all the study areas. Since the study was a one-season and in limited locations, addressing more seasons and locations is recommended in the future.