Abstract
Efficacy of four different essential oils against the subterranean termite, Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren, was assessed in various bioassays. Laboratory results indicate that the highest termite mortality was found in Dipterocarpus sp. essential oil after 24 h (LC50 = 1.62 %) and the lowest in Melaleuca cajuputi (LC50 = 4.60 %). The wood consumption in the filter paper treated with Dipterocarpus sp. oil is also smaller than for the other three essential oils tested. However, the other three essential oils also inhibited termite susceptibility of the specimens. Dipterocarpus sp. (keruing oil) was the most effective insect antifeedant and repellent against C. curvignathus. The results suggest that essential oils might have some beneficial activity of economic value and are considered good candidates for the development of new chemicals (repellents or antifeedants) for termite control.
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Acknowledgments
The authors express their gratitude to the staff of Wood Entomology Laboratory and Herbal Product Development Laboratory, FRIM, for helping in collecting termites and preparation of the essential oils.
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Roszaini, K., Nor Azah, M.A., Mailina, J. et al. Toxicity and antitermite activity of the essential oils from Cinnamomum camphora, Cymbopogon nardus, Melaleuca cajuputi and Dipterocarpus sp. against Coptotermes curvignathus . Wood Sci Technol 47, 1273–1284 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-013-0576-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-013-0576-1