Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

Termicidal Activity of Azadirachta Indica and Khaya Ivorensis Extracts on Subterranean Termites in Mubi, Nigeria

Wahedi, J.A, Oaya, C.S

This study was carried out in the laboratory of the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Adamawa State
University, Mubi to evaluate the efficacy of ethanol and aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica seed and Khaya
ivorensis stem bark against subterranean termites in Mubi. Extracts from these plants were separately prepared into
200 mg/ml and 400 mg/ml concentrations. The extracts were thereafter evaluated for their efficacy against the
subterranean termites measured in terms of toxicity and antifeedancy. In the Laboratory mortality was observed for
24 hrs, 48 hrs and 72 hrs, respectively. Antifeedant activity of the treatments was also observed in the field, where
20 pieces of wood of the known weight were used for the field experiment. The wood pieces were dipped in each of
the treatments concentration placed vertically and buried in the soil to a depth of 10cm around termite’s mounds,
including the control experiment. Each treatment was replicated four (4) times. The results showed that both A.
indica seed and K. ivorensis stem bark extracts at varying concentrations, effectively controlled the subterranean
termites. 100% mortality of termites was recorded in all the treatment jars exposed to both A. indica and K. ivorensis
extract after 72hrs of treatment and no mortality was recorded in the control jars. Similar trend of exhibition of
potency by the treatments was observed in the weight loss recorded in the exposed woods in the field, as the
treatments significantly reduced the weight loss of treated woods to as low as 17.60 g in K. ivorensis treated woods,
compared to 153.40g for the control woods at week 3 of exposure, confirming their insecticidal efficacy. Hence, the
result of this study further documented the potencies of A. indica and K. ivorensis against insect pests which was
measured in terms of toxicity (mortality) and antifeedant (weight loss by the woods) on subterranean termites in
Mubi.

Published Date: 2021-03-15; Received Date: 2021-02-22