Biopesticidal value of plant essential oils on subterranean termite (Odontotermes wallonensis)

Termite (Odontotermes wallonensis L.) is a major pest on maize, finger millet, red gram, sugarcane, groundnut, niger, castor, coconut, mango, jackfruit and cashew. Botanicals offer an advantage over synthetic pesticides because they are less toxic, easily get degraded and are readily available in many areas of the world. The biopesticidal potential of five plant derived essential oils [eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and Basil (Occimum basilicum)] at 0.1 per cent were evaluated against O. wallonensis. Basil, eucalyptus and lemongrass oil registered the mortality of O. wallonensis to the tune of 89, 88.66 and 81.33%, respectively. Clove oil (0.32 g), lemongrass oil (0.43 g), eucalyptus oil (0.52 g), citronella oil (0.56 g) and basil oil (0.67 g) were found to have antifeedant activity.