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ABSTRACT
Termites are insect pests that cause serious economic damage to agricultural crops, furniture, forest trees, and building structures. Although, studies focusing on the repellent and insecticidal activities of the leaf and root powders or extracts of invasive alien plants are not uncommon, studies on the repellent and insecticidal activities of the root extracts of the invasive alien plants, Chromolaena odorata and Mimosa diplotricha are scarce or non-existent. This project investigated the repellent and toxicological activities of C. odorata and M. diplotricha root extracts against the mound building termites, Macrotermes species. Five concentrations [2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% (w/v)] of the aqueous root extracts of the two plant species were tested on the worker caste of Macrotermes species, using the filter paper impregnation technique after which percentage repellence was monitored following a 30 minutes exposure, and mortality was recorded after every 12, 24, and 36 hours. The root extracts of C. odorata and M. diplotricha significantly repelled 98% and 100% of Macrotermes species respectively, at the highest concentration (10% (w/v)) following a 30-minute exposure period. Mortality of Macrotermes species caused by the root extracts of C. odorata and M. diplotricha was observed to be concentration and exposure time dependent. At the highest concentration (10.0% (w/v)), C. odorata and M. diplotricha root extracts respectively accounted for 94% and 100% mortality against Macrotermes species following a 36-hour exposure period. This study elucidates the repellent and insecticidal activities of the root extracts of both plants for the first time, and suggests that the root extracts of the invasive plants can be used as sustainable alternatives to conventional insecticides in the control of Macrotermes species in Nigeria and other countries where the pest is a menace.
