Abstract
Termites are an important biotic component in terrestrial ecosystems and the termites in seven localities of the Faculty of Science of University of Kelaniya were investigated by employing soil sifting, litter sifting, hand collection, baited pitfall trapping and long term baits from September, 2008 to April, 2009. The collected termites were preserved in 80% ethanol. Soil temperature and pH, and percentage soil moisture at each location were also recorded. Members of Termitidae and Rhinotermitidae, Dicuspeditermes incola Wasmann, Heterotermes ceylonicus Holmgren, Nasutitermes ceylonicus Holmgren, Nasutitermes horni Wasmann, Odontotermes ceylonicus Wasmann, Odontotermes horni Wasmann and Trinervitermes rubidus Hagen, were recorded. Odontotermes horni had a wide distribution in the seven localities. The interactions between a common ponerine ant, Odontomachus simillimus F. Smith and O. ceylonicus Wasmann revealed that O. simillimus acts as a natural enemy of this termite species. Termiticidal potential of Neemazal-F and citronella oil on the soldiers and workers of O. horni was evident while LD50 values were 11.15 mg and 8.21 mg per body weight g-1 of each product, respectively.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/josuk.v7i0.6230J. Sci. Univ. Kelaniya 7 (2012): 01-20
Highlights
Termites (Order: Isoptera) are a very important biotic component on earth as they play a significant role in recycling materials and, act as serious pests of agricultural crops and many other materials (Harris1961; Roonwal & Chhotani 1989; Pearce 1999; Thakur 2000)
Available insecticides, e.g. Chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, carbofuran and permethrin, are usually applied to control termites that act as pests (Thakur 2000; Pearce 1999) irrespective of their adverse effects on the environment. Natural plant extracts such as neemazal-F and citronella oil show insecticidal properties and are less harmful to the environment (Pearce 1999; Wijesekara 1973). The aim of this investigation was to prepare a preliminary inventory of subterranean termites while studying their distribution in the Science Faculty premises of University of Kelaniya and provide information on the effects of neemazal-F and citronella oil on the subterranean termite, Odontotermes horni Wasmann, a known pest of coconut (Harris 1961)
Smith is a common ponerine ant species recorded from the Science Faculty premises of University of Kelaniya (Dias 2006) and this paper presents the
Summary
Termites (Order: Isoptera) are a very important biotic component on earth as they play a significant role in recycling materials and, act as serious pests of agricultural crops and many other materials (Harris1961; Roonwal & Chhotani 1989; Pearce 1999; Thakur 2000). Available insecticides, e.g. Chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, carbofuran and permethrin, are usually applied to control termites that act as pests (Thakur 2000; Pearce 1999) irrespective of their adverse effects on the environment. Natural plant extracts such as neemazal-F and citronella oil show insecticidal properties and are less harmful to the environment (Pearce 1999; Wijesekara 1973). Smith is a common ponerine ant species recorded from the Science Faculty premises of University of Kelaniya (Dias 2006) and this paper presents the
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