PJB-2024-331
EVALUATION OF SOME LOCAL PLANT EXTRACTS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES, (HETEROTERMES INDICOLA) (WASMANN) (ISOPTERA: RHINOTERMITIDAE) &
Ruqayya Qazi
Abstract
Research study regarding “Evaluation of some local plant extracts for the management of subterranean termites, (Heterotermes indicola) (Wasmann) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) was conducted at the “Termite Laboratory” of the Plant Protection Division, Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Peshawar during, 2022-23. Experiments were conducted regarding the mortality, consumption and deterrence of three different botanical extracts (Tobacco, marigold and parthenium) in comparison to control (untreated check) in a laboratory setup. Results of mortality test showed that tobacco 10% concentration (100.00) gave highest mortality, while the lowest was recorded on control (0.71). In time intervals, maximum mortality was recorded on day 7th (40.63) and minimum on day 4rth (22.89). Further, highest mortality was recorded on day 1st in tobacco 10% concentration (100.00), while lowest was observed on day 4rth in parthenium 1.25% concentration (1.50). Deterrence test showed a significant effect where maximum termites were deterred by marigold 10% and tobacco 10% (35.44 and 33.92 percent termites respectively), while minimum deterrent behavior was shown by Marigold 1.25% (12.82%). Moreover, strong deterrent behavior was noted in tobacco 10% concentration when observed after 24 hours post treatment application (52.10%) and a weak deterrent effect was exhibited by Tobacco 1.25% at both 6- and 7-days intervals (4.20 and 5.20% respectively). For residual mortality test, maximum effect was shown by tobacco (10.72) against termites, while minimum by parthenium (1.66). The highest residual mortality was recorded on 10% concentration of tobacco (25.32) and lowest in control (0.33). Furthermore, comparative study revealed that Fipronil at very low concentration (0.05%) shows highest mortality, while tobacco on 5% given same mortality. Tobacco and marigold at higher concentrations (10% and 5%) significantly reduced the termite feeding rates compared to untreated paper. In contrast, parthenium treatment appeared to increase termite feeding rates significantly at all tested concentrations except 1.25%. These findings suggest that while tobacco and marigold extracts can be effective in deterring termite feeding, parthenium may have the opposite effect, potentially enhancing termite activity. It was concluded that tobacco is the most effective among botanical extracts in view of causing mortality and deterrent effects. Fipronil at very low concentration (0.05%) and tobacco at 5% concentration is recommended. Parthenium on the other hand may potentially enhance the termite activities.
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