LABORATORY EVALUATION OF TERMITICIDAL EFFICACY OF Cymbopogon citratus STAPF LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST TERMITES, Macrotermes bellicosus (BLATTODEA: TERMITIDAE) IN OBIO AKPA COMMUNITY, ORUK ANAM AKWA IBOM STATE- NIGERIA

The study was conducted in the laboratory to determine the termiticidal efficacy of
Cymbopogoncitratusleaf extract on Termites (Macrotermes bellicosus). The experiment consisted of
five treatments with three replicates. The concentrations 2g, 4g, 6g, standard control {Rambo insect
powder (0.60% Permethrin) and experimental control. Termites were collected from the Termitarium
found within the Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa campus. Fifty Macrotermes bellicosus
were introduced into Petri dishes each containing the different levels of C. citratus extract,
observations were made for 30minutes, 1hour, 1hour 30 minutes, 2hours,and 3hours respectively, to
test for mortality, repellency and survival duration of Macrotermes bellicosus. The results of the
phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, steroids,
saponins, glycosides, and citrals. Mortality test on Macrotermes bellicosus exposed to the different
levels of treatments showed that mortality was extract concentration dependent. Maximum mortality
was observed at standard control (insect powder),followed by the different concentrations of C.
citratus extract during 3 hours exposure of termites to the extract as compared to experimental control
where no mortality was recorded. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the number of
termites that died at the different extract concentrations. The extract of C. citratus against
Macrotermes bellicosus caused repellency in all the concentrations from 2g (65%), 4g (70%), 6g
(85%) and standard control (100%). There was significant difference (p<0.05) in the movement of
Macrotermesbellicosus from the extract baited filter paper at different concentration. Survival
duration showed that all tested extract concentrations significantly (p< 0.05) reduced the survival
duration of Macrotermes bellicosus. The study therefore, revealed the antitermitic activities of C.
citratus which could be used as an alternative to synthetic insecticide for the control of Termites.