The feeding index, feeding severity and preference ratio of adults R. dentipes were investigated in ten cowpea varieties (IT84S -2246-4, IT86D-715, IT86D-1010, IT87D-94-1 OBRIKOM-l84 IT87D1134, IT82D-789, IT84S-124, L-80 and He Brown). The number of seeds attacked and the degree of penetration were compared with those of the susceptible and resistant controls (IT84E -124 and IT82D -789 respectively). Extensive feeding was obtained on IT86D -1010, IT87D -941 -I, OBRIKOM -184, and He Brown, Their preference ratio (PR) was very high as against the low values for IT86D -715 and IT84S -2246 -4. The preference ratio for the susceptible check, IT84E -124 was significantly higher than that for the resistant check, IT8D -789 W<0.05). Two varieties IT84S -2246 -4 and IT86D -715 elicited poorer response to R. dentips feeding. The positive feeding response in the susceptible varieties (OBIRIKOM -184, He Brown, IT87D -941-1 and IT86D -1010) significantly differed from those of the resistant varieties (P0.05).
