In-Vitro Efficacy of Crude Botanical Extracts and A Synthetic Insecticide (Imidacloprid) In the Control of Termites; Macrotermes Spp (Isoptera: Termitidae) In Kyambogo University, Uganda

Termites especially Macrotermes spp are highly destructive polyphagous insect pests of crop plants (Sseremba et al., 2011). They damage seedlings, wood, fiber and other household cellulose based materials hence a menace to especially to the agricultural sector. To control these damaging and yield-limiting pests, various synthetic insecticides such as Imidacloprid have been recommended and extensively used (UNEP. 2000; Venkateswara et al., 2005). Unfortunately, such insecticides are costly, not environmentally friendly, non-biodegradable and not readily available to especially the rural communities. Furthermore, they are very toxic to even non-target organisms in the ecosystems especially when applied in concentration levels higher than the manufacturers' rates (Dennis, 1981; Pimental, 1995). In the bid to find alternative cheap; readily available; biodegradable and less toxic insecticides, some plant species such as Jatropha curcas, Capsicum spp and Azadirachta indica were discovered to contain insecticidal properties (Ssemaganda et al., 2011). However, in Uganda, very few people especially those in rural areas use these botanical extracts in the control of termites (Ssemaganda et al., 2011). This could mainly be due to the fact that no studies have been carried out to provide relevant and up-to-date information about their efficacy in the control of Macrotermes spp of termites. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of crude botanical extracts from Jatropha curcas, Capsicum spp and Azadirachta indica and a synthetic insecticide (imidacloprid) in the control of termites. In this study, Jatropha curcas seeds, Capsicum spp ripe fruits and Azadirachta indica leaves were used to obtain the crude extracts whose efficacy against Macrotermes spp was assessed. The used botanical plant materials and termites were collected from Nakasajja Village, Mukono District and the bushes around Kyambogo University, Kampala District using purposive sampling. They were later transported to the Biology Laboratory at the Department of Biological Sciences of Kyambogo University for bioassays. Each crude botanical extract was tested on Macrotermes spp at four (4) concentration levels 5%, 10%, 20% and 30% w/v. Imidacloprid was bought from an Agricultural shop in Kampala, Uganda. It was also tested on Macrotermes spp at four concentration levels 5%, 10%, 20% and 30% (V/v). Distilled water was used as the control for comparison. The design of the study was basically a completely randomized experimental design involving three replicates for each treatment concentration level. All the concentration levels of the botanical extracts were able to cause mortality of Macrotermes spp especially 20% and 30% of Jatropha curcas and Capsicum spp that caused the greatest mortality (100%). The synthetic insecticide (imidacloprid) also caused mortality of Macrotermes spp at all used concentration levels. However10%, 20% and 30% caused the greatest mortality (100%). At p= 5%, F= 0.989858 and Fcrit = 3.490295.The study demonstrated that all the three used crude botanical extracts possess termiticidal activity especially Jatropha curcas and Capsicum spp which caused 100% mortality at 20% and 30% concentration levels. The synthetic insecticide (Imidacloprid) also caused mortality of Macrotermes spp especially at 10%, 20% and 30% where the mortality was 100%. At p= 5%, F= 0.989858 and Fcrit = 3.490295 hence there was no significant difference in the in-vitro efficacy of the botanical extracts and imidacloprid in controlling termites.