The Management of the Major Cowpea Pests in Ghana: A Review

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is one of the most important leguminous crops in sub-Saharan Africa, providing a vital source of food, fodder, and income. Despite its economic and nutritional importance, cowpea yields are severely constrained by insect pests that attack the crop at every stage of production and storage. Major field pests include aphids (Aphis craccivora), flower bud thrips (Megalurothrips sjostedti), the legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata), foliage beetle (Ootheca mutabilis), leafhoppers (Empoasca spp.), and pod-sucking bugs (Anoplocnemis curvipes, Riptortus dentipes, Nezara viridula, and Acanthomia spp.). In storage, Callosobruchus maculatus (cowpea beetle) remains the most destructive pest, often causing losses ranging from 60% to nearly 100% if unmanaged. This dissertation reviews updated management strategies against these pests, including synthetic and botanical insecticides, cultural practices, host plant resistance, and biological control approaches. While chemical insecticides remain effective, concerns about resistance, environmental contamination, and food safety highlight the need for sustainable alternatives. Botanicals, cultural practices such as intercropping and timely harvesting, and biological agents, including natural enemies, have shown promising results in reducing pest populations. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which combines these approaches, is emphasized as the most effective, environmentally friendly, and economically viable strategy to minimize yield losses and enhance cowpea production.