Insecticidal Effects of Sandoricum koetjape (Santol) Ethanolic Leaf Extract on Coptotermes gestroi (Asian Subterranean Termites)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Termites are posed as one of the major problems in the community due to damage in property (Pestana, 2017). Due to their infestations, billions of dollars are spent annually for control and prevention measures worldwide. The condition worsened following the overuse of chemical insecticides as termite control tools have resulted in public’s concern on environmental and health issues, causing further difficulties in controlling termite infestation. This research aimed to know if the extract of Sandoricum koetjape leaves can be a partial substitute for commercial Coptotermes gestroi exterminator.

METHODS

The experimental study utilized a randomized complete block design. Each treatment was done in triplicates and each test vial initially contained ten (10) C. gestroi. Through the use of pipette, 0.5 mL of each produced extract was dropped in each container. The reaction of the termites was observed and the mortality rate was recorded after two minutes. The determination of the significant difference between number of deaths in the control group and the experimental group were done using One-Way ANOVA statistics at 5% level of confidence probability.

RESULTS

Screening of ethanolic leaf extracts with different concentration of Sandoricumkoetjape showed that as the concentration of S. koetjape increased, the mortality rate of C. gestroi also increased. The result showed that the positive control, which is 95% Ethanol yielded the greatest mortality rate with an average of 9.67 and was followed by pure extract of S. koetjape with an average of 9.33 in which they were classified as lethal.

DISCUSSIONS

With the results obtained, S. koetjape ethanolic leaf extract has a mutagenic effect on the C. gestroi. Moreover, the concentration of S. koetjape ethanolic leaf extract performs a significant effect on the C. gestroi. in relation to the study, an extract of the seed of S. koetjape were evident and have been proven to reduce the growth rates and increase times to pupation of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) or European corn borer (Ostrina nubilalis) larvae at lower dose levels while significant mortality was noted at higher dose levels (Powell, 1991).