Susceptibility of Macrotermes subhyalinus (Ramburi) Terminidae) to Oil of Acalypha godseffiana (Muell. Arg. (Isoptera:

• M.O. Oni

  Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria.

  Author

• T. Kofoworola

  Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria.

  Author

• O.C. Ogungbite

  Department of Plant Science, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ado- Ekiti. Nigeria

  Author

• T.I. Ofuya

  Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria.

  Author

• P. Adunola

  Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria.

  Author

Oil from the leaf of Acalypha godseffiana plant was screened for bioactivity against Macrotermes subhyalinus in-vivo and in-vitro. Toxicity of the oil to termite was tested at 0 (control), 1, 2, 3 and 4% concentrations and each treatment were replicated four times. Repellent activity of the oil was tested using filter paper cut into equal halves labelled G and C. The G was treated with 0.5ml of the Solvent and C with 1, 2, 3 and 4% concentration of the oil and number of termites on each sides of the paper were counted after 0-1, 1-2, 2-4 and 4-6h post- treatment. Result obtained showed that only 4% concentration of the oil achieved 100% insect mortality and repellence within 2-4h and 24h respectively and its effect was significantly different (p < 0.05) from other concentration levels. However, LC50 and LC95 5.94 (5.58-6.99) and 7.53(6.82-7.98) reflected that low concentration of the oil are required to achieve 50 and 95% termite mortality within 24hr. Results obtained from field experiment showed that Terminalia superba wood-block treated with same concentration of the oil had similar effect on termite survival and no traces of infestation except in the control. The results of this study confirm that some components of A. godseffiana have insecticidal potential. Phytochemical analysis of A. godseffiana oil revealed flavonoid as the major component of the oil. This signaled flavonoid possibly have played significant role in the observed bioactivity. Further studies are highly imperative to confirm toxicity of flavonoids in A. godseffiana to M. subhyalinus.

1. M.O. Oni, Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria.

   Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria.

2. T. Kofoworola, Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria.

   Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria.

3. O.C. Ogungbite, Department of Plant Science, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ado- Ekiti. Nigeria

   Department of Plant Science, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ado- Ekiti. Nigeria

4. T.I. Ofuya, Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria.

   Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria.

5. P. Adunola, Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria.

   Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria.

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