COMBINED EFFECT OF ATRAZINE AND GLYPHOSATE (HERBICIDES) ON THE SURVIVAL AND LOCOMOTION OF THE AFRICAN MOUND-BUILDING TERMITE, MACROTERMES SPECIES

ABSTRACT

Atrazine and glyphosate are two common herbicides widely used for weed control in Nigeria, and as such, pose a threat to non-target organisms. This study therefore investigated the synergistic effects of atrazine and glyphosate on the mortality and locomotion performance of African mound-building termite, Macrotermes species. Worker termites were exposed to mixtures of atrazine and glyphosate with concentrations four (4x) and two times (2x) below, two times above the recommended rates and the recommended rates. Percentage mortality was recorded after 6- and 12-hour exposure time. Worker termites were also exposed to the same herbicide concentrations to investigate their locomotion performance, after being left to acclimatize for 2mins and then allowed to walk on a stage. The distances covered and speeds were calculated after 30 seconds. The mixture of both herbicides demonstrated a high degree of mortality against worker termites which was observed as a function of herbicide concentrations and exposure time. Following a 12-hour exposure of termites to the herbicide mixture, four times (4x) and two-fold (2x) below the recommended rates caused 80% mortality and the recommended rates and two-fold above the recommended rates caused 96% and 100% respectively. Overall locomotor performance reduced with increasing concentrations. The results from this study revealed that a mixture of atrazine and glyphosate herbicides is toxic to termites and capable of reducing their locomotion abilities. Farmers and other herbicide users should be enlightened on the use and toxicity of these herbicides to protect their health and other non-target organisms.