Department of Crop Protection, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Ogun State, Nigeria
Osipitan, A.A., Department of Crop Protection, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Ogun State, Nigeria; Oseyemi, A.E., Department of Crop Protection, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Ogun State, Nigeria
Macrotermes spp. are members of the fungus-growing sub-family Macrotermitinae. They are mostly mound building and are the largest termite species. Macrotermes spp. build large epigeal nests (mounds) from where they forage outwards to distances up to 50 in in galleries/runways. In Africa, Macrotermes are serious pest of some agricultural crops and tree plantations that is responsible for the majority of crop damage and 90% of tree mortality in forestry. Damage by termite to store products also provides entry for secondary infection by pathogens especially Aspergillus, which cause indirect yield loss and contamination of products with aflatoxins. Many plants have however, developed effective defenses against termites. This study evaluated the bio-activity of aqueous extracts from citrus: Citrus sinensis, cocoa: Theobroma cacao, sunflower: Tithonia diversifolia and cashew: Anacardium occident ale for the management of Macrotermes bellicosus on the field and in the laboratory. The results showed that extracts from the plants caused 80-100% mean insect mortality 10 h after insect exposure and have repellence values between 26.67 and 60%. T. cacao, A. occidentale, T. diversifolia and C. sinensis are viable options for environmentally friendly management of M. bellicosus on the field. © 2012 Academic Journals Inc.