Termites (Macrotermes) are destructive pests in nature and their activities cause economic loss to field crops, wooden and building structures. Plant protectants have been widely used but information on the use of Ocimum gratissimum, kerosene and naphthalene in their single and mixed forms at various concentrations in the control of Macrotermes is lacking.Hence this study determined the toxicity and repellency of O. gratissimum, kerosene and naphthalene in their single and mixed forms on Macrotermes. Termites were sourced using axe and shovel, and exposed to 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5g of O. gratissimum, naphthalene and kerosene in single forms respectively. Mixed forms were in 50%:50% of 0.5-1.5g of O.gratissimum and naphthalene, 0.5 -1.5g/mL of kerosene and O. gratissimum, and naphthalene and kerosene respectively. The set up was in triplicate and exposed for 24 hours. Results revealed that all concentrations of O. gratissimum, naphthalene, kerosene in single and mixed forms showed anti-termite activities. The differences were not significant(p> 0.05). Complete mortality was recorded in all treatment concentrations except 0.5 and 1.0g of O. gratissimum, 0.5g of naphthalene and O. gratissimum. All concentrations of kerosene, 0.5 and 1.5g/mL of naphthalene and kerosene, 1.0g/mL of kerosene and O. gratissimum caused complete mortality after 6 hours of treatment. The difference between the time mortality was significant p< 0.05. Repellency and their distances being remarkably high across all concentrations and the differences were significant (p<0.05). Lethal concentrations at 50% and 95% of all treatment were 0.347 and 0.471, respectively except for O. gratissimum which was 0.086 and 0.071g respectively. The results of this research indicated that higher concentrations of O. gratissimum and the other two treatments in their single forms as well as the mixed forms could limit the destructive activities and economic losses caused by termites.
How to cite this article:
Ojianwuna, C.C. and Enwemiwe, V.N. 2021 Toxicity and repellency of scent leave (Ocimum gratissimum), kerosene and naphthalene in single form and in mixed form in termites (Macrotermes bellicosus). Journal of Biopesticides, 14(1):41-49.
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