Evaluation of Termite Resistant Plant Attributes For Their Bioactivities Against Macrotermes Termite
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Date
2006-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Choice, toxicity, antifeedant tests and repellency effects of indigenous trees (Croton
macrostachyus, Juniperus procera and Hagenia abyssinica) of Ethiopia on Macrotermes
termite workers were studied under field and laboratory conditions. Fresh leaves of J. procera
and C. macrostachyus fresh leaves attracted more worker termites than H. abyssinica.
Volatiles collected from the leaves and wood stakes of the above mentioned plants, showed
no significant differencee (P> 0.05) in attraction. Acetone, ethanol and water extracts of J.
procera and H. abyssinica showed no toxic effect on the insects after 24 hours of treatment
application. Aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) seed powder also showed no
toxicity. However, aqueous extract of H. abyssinica female flower powder killed all the
insects at three levels of extraction (10%, 15% & 20% w/v) and at 3ml level of application
unlike 1ml & 2ml levels. Moreover, aqueous extracts of Milletia ferruginea seed powder
extract showed 100% mortality at all the three extraction levels and 1ml, 2ml and 3ml rates of
application. C. macrostachyus stakes immersed into acetone, chloroform and ethanol extracts
of H. abyssinca and J. procera saw dust for three minutes and buried around termite mound
were damaged at different levels after a month. C. macrostaychyus stakes were highly
damaged (82.9%) compared to J. procera stakes which were not even scratched. This
indicated that worker Macrotermes termites feed less on H. abyssinica and do not feed on J.
procera.
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Biology