Number Of Termites Research Articles

Potential use of pinenes to improve localized insecticide injections targeting the western drywood termite (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae).

The western drywood termite, Incisitermes minor (Hagen), causes significant economic damage to wood structures in the United States of America, especially California. When infestation is not widespread, localized insecticide injections may be useful for remedial control. However, the extensive gallery structure of drywood termites and their tendency to aggregate at specific parts of the galleries can impact the efficacy of localized insecticide injection. Chemicals that attract termites from a distance may improve the localized insecticide injection by increasing the number of termites contacting the insecticide residues. Two volatile terpenes, α-pinene and β-pinene, commonly found in many coniferous timber trees, were applied to artificial termite galleries to determine if termites were attracted from their original aggregation site. Furthermore, we examined if adding these pinenes would improve the overall efficacy of some insecticide products for drywood termite control. Behavioral assay results showed that the treatment with pinenes increased the likelihood that drywood termites would leave their original aggregation site and contact the treated part of the gallery. When tested with the pesticide products applied in a small area away from the termite aggregation, β-pinene significantly accelerated the time course of mortality for the aqueous fipronil. The efficacy of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate dust was not influenced by the addition of pinenes. Implications for drywood termite management and future research directions are discussed.

Foraging Activity of Termites at Different Sites in Multan, Pakistan

Termite monitoring is an important part of designing the management strategy. In the current study, termite activity was observed at four sites in Multan (three structures and one agriculture area). For this purpose, monitoring traps consisted of plastic bin and wood pieces were buried in soil. The termite activity was observed on weekly basis for two months during March and April 2022. The results indicated that there were five species (Odontotermes spp., Microcerotermes spp., Amitermes spp., Microtermes spp. and Coptotermes spp.) infesting the buildings and agriculture area. The lowest termite contacts in traps were observed on the 1st week which were increased with the passage of time (maximum contacts recorded on 4th week of April). Similarly, the numbers of termites were also less at the 1st inspection at all sites (24-2059 numbers per station) and maximum numbers of termites per station were recorded on 4th week of April. The results will be helpful to manage termite infestation.

Developing A Solid Termite Bait Matrix and Conducting Efficacy Trials Under Lab and Semi Field Conditions

The study on development of solid termite bait matrix and its efficacy against the Heterotermes indicola was performed in Peshawar, during 2023. The study was performed with completely randomized design (CRD) with different treatments i.e., developed bait, patent bait, popular wood and blotting paper. Each treatment was replicated three times. The laboratory experiment consisted of no-choice, free choice and aggregation test. While the semi-field experiment consisted of free choice test. During the no-choice test of the laboratory experiment, H. indicola showed a consumption rate of 6.29% for the popular wood and developed bait. However, in the blotting paper treatment, the termites consumed only 2.81%. In terms of choice test conducted in the lab, the popular wood exhibited the highest weight consumption percentage of 2.87%, while the patent bait displayed the lowest weight consumption percentage of 2.25%. Under the choice test maximum number of termites were attracted towards popular wood (77.00 Number of termites) while minimum number of termites were attracted towards patent bait (54.66 Number of termites). Whereas, in aggregation test, of the lab experiment, maximum number of termites were also aggregated towards popular wood (37.77 Number of termites) while minimum termites were aggregated for patent bait (25.22 Number of termites). In the case of free choice under semi-field conditions, the highest number of termites were observed on popular wood i.e., 380.00 followed by the developed bait, which recorded 293.50 termites. On the other hand, the lowest number of termites were recorded on the patent bait i.e., 231.50. Similarly, when considering the maximum consumed weight in percentage, popular wood exhibited the highest value at 16.24%, closely followed by the developed bait at 15.67% while the patent bait displayed minimum consumed weight percentage of 12.89%. In overall experiments it is concluded that among all the tested treatments, termites mostly consumed popular wood and developed bait. Since the developed bait showed promising results in attracting termites, it is recommended to continue refining its formulation. Conduct additional research to identify the key components or additives that enhance its attractiveness and consumption by termites. This optimization process can help maximize the effectiveness of the bait as a termite control strategy. Adding more popular wood saw dust in the bait may achieve more significant and desired results and can also prove to be cost efficient rather than adding more cellulosic material.

Potential of Gas-Propelled Aerosol Containing Synergized Pyrethrins for Localized Treatment of Cryptotermes brevis (Kalotermitidae: Blattodea).

The possibility of synergized pyrethrin-containing aerosol as a choice for spot-treating C. brevis in Australia was investigated in laboratory tests. Topical toxicity tests, where C. brevis pseudergates were subjected to multiple doses of pyrethrin mist insecticide, showed the concentration-dependent death of termites with a median lethal dose (LD50) of 193.16 µg. Residual toxicity tests, where the termites were exposed to wood surfaces treated with pyrethrin-containing aerosol, showed a rapid mortality in short and continuous exposures. Less than 20% of the termites survived even when the termites were exposed to a treated wood surface for a minute. All the termites died within 1-5 h in continuous exposure tests, depending on the age of the treated surface. In repellency tests, the termites tended to visit treated surfaces, causing an overall lower survival of the termites. The synergized pyrethrin-containing aerosol remained insufficiently volatile to produce the complete mortality of the termites even after 196 h when there was no contact with a treated surface. The number of termites that survived following the application of the synergized aerosol through a simulated wood gallery or silicon tubing with fecal pellets was also negligible, demonstrating the ability of the aerosol to penetrate through pellets and ultimately resulting in a distribution that is ideal for treatment in the termite galleries.

Non-destructive Detection of an Invasive Drywood Termite, Cryptotermes brevis (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae), in Timber

Reliable drywood termite detection in structures is challenging but is critical for effective management. A microwave-based non-destructive method was evaluated for detecting termite activity. This study evaluated factors affecting the ability of this device to reliably detect Cryptotermes brevis in timber. The device displayed a high probability of successfully detecting C. brevis in naturally infested boards. The system detected termites 97% of the time when used at the highest sensitivity level, while producing few false positives. The number of termites did not affect detection ability, and detectable signals were produced even when a single termite was present. Detection success decreased with both increasing wood density and testing perpendicular to the grain in abrupt transition timber species. The device detected termites to a maximum depth of 45 mm in southern pine (Pinus spp.), but sensitivity declined with increased wood density with the detection limit declining to only 20 mm in denser Tasmanian oak (Eucalyptus spp). The device could only detect termites in samples with densities between 392 to 511 kg/m3 in 38 mm thick radiata pine samples. The results support the ability of microwaves to reliably detect C. brevis in timber.

Estimating termite population size using spatial statistics for termite tunnel patterns

Subterranean termites build underground tunnels for foraging. The obtained food is transported to the nest through these tunnels, and consumed to maintain the termite colony. In this process, termites can cause damage to wooden structures. To develop effective control strategies to reduce termite damage, it is important to know the sizes of the termite populations in the tunnels. In this study, we proposed a method for estimating the termite population size using the spatial statistic indices including fractal dimension (FD), local density (LD), and join count statistic (JCS) for the tunnel patterns. However, the method needs further improvement to be applied in field conditions. For the method, we generated 8,000 tunnel pattern images (1,000 images for each N) using an agent-based model based on experimental data. Here, N (= 3, 4, ..., 10) represents the number of termites participating in tunnel construction in the simulation. Subsequently, we calculated the FD, LD and JCS values of the tunnel pattern and trained and verified the k-nearest neighbors (KNN) algorithm, using 5,600 and 2,400 images, respectively. The population size (N) was estimated based on the FD, LD and JCS using the KNN algorithm. The estimated accuracy for all N was 60% to 97% in the range of k = 1 to 300. If the model for tunnel pattern generation includes heterogeneous environmental conditions, the proposed method could be used to effectively estimate the actual number of termite populations. Finally, we briefly discuss the challenges affecting our model, and how these could be overcome.

Efficacy of teak and pine litter extract with several solvent against wood termites (Cryptotermes cynocephalus light)

Termites are social insects that play an important role in the decomposition and nutrient turnover. In addition, termites are also categorized as pests that eat wood or materials composed of cellulose. Some form of control one of them has been done by making biopesticides. Various types of raw materials have been used from agricultural, plantation and forestry crop groups. Termite mortality is one indicator to determine extract bioactivity by calculating the percentage of the number of termites that died after being given treatment at a certain time. Compound content bioactive substances such as alkaloids, phenolics and other chemicals that can be used to kill and controlling insects in the environment. This study examines the effectiveness teak litter extract and pine litter extract with various solvents against wood termites through experimental research activities in the laboratory. The content of teak litter extract levels and pine litter obtained by 2.5%. Based on the termite mortality value test, the highest toxicity in the ethyl acetate extract, which is at week 3, it has reached 100% at a concentration of 1% which is. In addition, based on testing the retention value of the test paper, The highest percentage of weight loss was in the control, followed by the n-hexane fraction 49.55%. Whereas in testing the level of termite consumption, the highest percentage was in the aquades fraction.

Phylogeography of Nasutitermes ephratae (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) in neotropical region

The neotropical region ranks third in the number of termites and includes five different families. Of these, Termitidae is the most diverse and includes the species Nasutitermes ephratae, which is widespread in the neotropics. To date, only one study has been published about phylogeography in neotropical termites (N. corniger). Here, we explored the population genetic patterns of N. ephratae and also evaluated the phylogeographical processes involved in the evolutionary history of the species. We used the mitochondrial genes 16S rRNA and COII as molecular markers: these were sequenced for 128 samples of N. ephratae. We estimated the genetic diversity and divergence time as well as the demography and genetic structure. We also performed an ancestral area reconstruction and a haplotype network. The results showed high genetic variability, recent demographic expansion, and strong genetic structure. A dispersal route for the species, that occurred in both directions between South and Central America, was inferred. The results emphasize a temporary separation between the South and Central America populations that affected the origin of the current Central America populations. These populations were formed from different phylogeographic histories.

Sustainable Use of Macrotermes spp. to Improve Traditional Poultry Farming through an Efficient Trapping System in Burkina Faso.

Simple SummaryIn West Africa, termites are commonly used as protein feed for poultry by smallholder farmers who trap them by placing containers filled with organic matters on termite tracks. The objective of this study conducted in Burkina Faso was to test and improve the technique to increase the availability of termites for traditional poultry farmers. The study focused on termites of the genus Macrotermes and found that the quantity of termites trapped varied with the containers’ types, substrates placed in the container, habitats, harvesting times, duration of trap deposition, and season. These results allow to provide information to farmers on how to optimize the trapping of Macrotermes species and increase the quantity of termites available as protein source for their poultry.This study aimed to promote the use of termites as feed in traditional poultry farming by developing sustainable and inexpensive termite trapping techniques. Various tests were carried out in Burkina Faso to improve the traditional technique of trapping termites of the genus Macrotermes using a reversed container filled with organic matters. We studied the effect of containers’ types, substrates, habitats, harvesting times, duration of trap deposition, and season on the quantity of termites trapped. Calabashes and terra cotta pots trapped more termites than iron boxes, but calabashes were quickly destroyed by termites. The quantity of termites harvested increased proportionally with the volume of the pot and was higher in a cultivated habitat than in a forest, despite the higher number of termite mounds in the forest. The quantity of termites harvested was lowest in the cold-dry season and highest during the rainy season, however, sizeable amounts of termites were collected throughout the year. Among six substrates and mixtures of substrates tested, maize cobs trapped the highest number of termites and cow dung the lowest. The best time of harvest varied among seasons and, if substrates are abundant, it is more efficient to empty the containers on a daily basis.

Tillage Intensity Influences Insect-Pest and Predator Dynamics of Wheat Crop Grown under Different Conservation Agriculture Practices in Rice-Wheat Cropping System of Indo-Gangetic Plain

Tillage can alter the soil habitats wherein many insect pests and their natural enemies reside during at least part of their life cycle. To enhance crop productivity and reduce climate change effects, conservation agriculture (CA) with reduced-tillage or no-tillage practices have been advocated to farmers. However, information relating to the effect of CA on insect pests and their natural enemies is very scarce, at least in the Indo-Gangetic region. In this study, the effect of tillage on the abundance of, and damage by, major insect pests (foliar aphids, root aphids, termites, and pink stem borer) and their natural enemies in wheat managed under three tillage practices, i.e., zero-till (ZT), reduced tillage (RT), and conventional tillage (CT) with (protected) and without (unprotected) insecticide protection scenarios, was investigated. Foliar aphid and termite numbers were lowest in the ZT-protected system, and highest in the CT-unprotected system. Pink stem borer damage was significantly higher in the ZT-unprotected system, whereas the root aphid number was maximum in the RT-unprotected system. The natural enemies of these four major insect pests of wheat showed variable trends under the studied tillage systems. The abundance and damage of these major insect pests showed a positive correlation with the normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) and canopy temperature. The dynamics of the insect pests and their predators were driven by soil habitat-related changes (direct) as well as crop growth-related effects (indirect). A fine-tuning of insect-pest management tactics based on these relations would enhance the success of CA systems.

Subterranean termites diversity in Mianwali District of Punjab, Pakistan

Subterranean termites cause destruction to the wooden structures and eat cellulose based products all over the world, causing economic loss on large scale. This study is conducted to observe the presence of subterranean termites and their species in district Mianwali Punjab Pakistan, from the months March to August, 2017. Manual method was used to collect the termites from herbs, weeds, shrubs, trees, plant debris, wooden logs and buildings of desert different areas of the District Mianwali. The population density of termites was estimated using Simpson’s diversity index equation. For further examination, the preserved (in 80 percent alcohol) termites were carried to Zoology Department, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan. The number of termites was maximum in the months of July and August.Five species of termites Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann),Microtermes mycophagus, Microtermes obesi(Holmgren), Odontotermes guptai and Odontotermes obesi(Ramber), were found in three tehsils of the District Mianwali. The most numerous termite species was C. heimi. The diversity and population density of termites in Tehsil Mianwali is more than Tehsil EsaKhel and Tehsil Piplan. The aim of the present study is to evaluate population diversity of termites in District Mianwali. Keywords: Castes; Cellulose based; Diversity; Simpson’s diversity index; Subterranean; Workers http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90253

The impact of conventional and organic farming on soil biodiversity conservation: a case study on termites in the long-term farming systems comparison trials in Kenya

BackgroundA long-term experiment at two trial sites in Kenya has been on-going since 2007 to assess the effect of organic and conventional farming systems on productivity, profitability and sustainability. During these trials the presence of significant numbers of termites (Isoptera) was observed. Termites are major soil macrofauna and within literature they are either depict as ‘pests’ or as important indicator for environmental sustainability. The extent by which termites may be managed to avoid crop damage, but improve sustainability of farming systems is worthwhile to understand. Therefore, a study on termites was added to the long-term experiments in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to quantify the effect of organic (Org) and conventional (Conv) farming systems at two input levels (low and high) on the abundance, incidence, diversity and foraging activities of termites.ResultsThe results showed higher termite abundance, incidence, activity and diversity in Org-High compared to Conv-High, Conv-Low and Org-Low. However, the termite presence in each system was also dependent on soil depth, trial site and cropping season. During the experiment, nine different termite genera were identified, that belong to three subfamilies: (i) Macrotermitinae (genera: Allodontotermes, Ancistrotermes, Macrotermes, Microtermes, Odontotermes and Pseudocanthotermes), (ii) Termitinae (Amitermes and Cubitermes) and (iii) Nasutitiermitinae (Trinervitermes).ConclusionsWe hypothesize that the presence of termites within the different farming systems might be influenced by the types of input applied, the soil moisture content and the occurrence of natural enemies. Our findings further demonstrate that the organic high input system attracts termites, which are an important, and often beneficial, component of soil fauna. This further increases the potential of such systems in enhancing sustainable agricultural production in Kenya.

Inferring Termite Colony Size Using Wood Consumption in Subterranean Termites (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in Laboratory-Rearing Conditions.

Termite colony size can influence its foraging activity, reproductive maturity, and, for pest species, potential for structural damage. Estimating colony size of subterranean termite species in field conditions has been challenging owing to their extensive foraging territory and their cryptic nesting habit and has primarily relied on mark-recapture methods. With laboratory-reared colonies in individual containers, determining colony size can be achieved by processing all termites from the nest material, which can be labor intensive and partially destructive. However, with the recent rise in the need of large laboratory colonies for use in colony-wide experimental protocols, there was an imperative to develop a procedure to estimate initial colony sizes without imposing a major stress on colonies before an experiment. In this study, the average daily wood consumption of whole colonies was used to infer the colony size of two Coptotermes, Wasmann (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) species and their hybrids in laboratory-rearing conditions. Correlations between the daily wood consumption and several demographic variables within colonies were established. Linear models varied across all species mating types with R2 values greater than 0.8 for all demographic variables. For colonies from all mating combinations, Pearson's correlation coefficient values were greater than 0.94 between their daily wood consumption and both the number of workers and total number of termites, and greater than 0.91 between daily wood consumption and colony mass. Therefore, in colonies with fixed laboratory conditions, their average daily wood consumption determination, which is nondestructive on colonies, can be used to infer colony size of subterranean termites.

Testing a co-formulation of CO2-releasing material with an entomopathogenic fungus for the management of subterranean termite pests

Termites cause significant damage to cocoa trees. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) such as Metarhizium brunneum have been considered as a sustainable alternative to abusive use of insecticides against termites. However, potent EPF application is limited by its repellency effects, host avoidance, and termite defense mechanisms such as grooming among nest mates. Termites use CO2 to locate plant roots. This study investigated whether CO2-emitting capsules could attract termites. Capsules formulated without fungus (CEC) as well as those formulated with M. brunneum Cb15-III (CECEPF) were tested for attractiveness to termites with other attractive components using modified four-arm olfactometers. Worker termites’ infection by the fungus growing from the capsules as well as its horizontal transmission was assessed through the autodissemination approach. Significantly, more termites were attracted to CEC compared with other attractive components. Higher number of termites was attracted by CECEPF and cocoa seedlings than dry wood and yeast in a choice test. When termites were directly exposed to sporulating capsules, 100% mortality was obtained within 5 days. However, in the horizontal transmission experiment, no significant differences were observed as regards termites’ mortality in the treatment compared with the control groups. CECEPF did not cause any apparent repellency to termites as compared with CEC. This strategy offers high potential to promote biological termite control using CECEPF as alternative to insecticides. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of these capsules under field conditions and explore their commercialization for termite management.

Lab studies on trail following behavior of the termite Hypotermes obscuriceps towards 2-Phenoxyethanol

Hypotermes obscuriceps is the most abundant of termite species found in North-eastern Puducherry. It has been seen to assimilate ligninous waste kept for degradation in the termireactors designed earlier by the authors by the process of termigradation. Termigradation is a termite-based biodegradation process and involves attracting termites towards the ligninous waste in specially designed reactors. Such reactors are kept in pits or aboveground near termite mounds. In order to increase the number of termites that will move towards the feed kept in such termireactors, 2-Phenoxyethanol (2-PE) was explored in the laboratory for making trails that may attract H. obscuriceps. Five different concentrations of 2-PE, ranging from 0.1 to 0.0005% were explored and in controlled experiments, the numbers of termites that followed the trails made by these levels of 2-PE as a function of time were determined. It was seen that all the trails that contained 2-PE attracted H. obscuriceps and none was toxic to termites for the first 60 minutes.

Effect of landscape heterogeneity on termite tunnel pattern: Simulation study

Abstract Although the environment in which termites live is very heterogeneous, most experimental studies on the termite tunnel patterns have been conducted on homogeneous sand substrates. In order to explore how the heterogeneity affects tunnel patterns, I developed an agent-based model to simulate termite tunneling behavior at the individual level. In this model, grid space consists of easy and difficult areas for tunneling. Heterogeneity, H, was defined as the degree of the mixture of the two areas. The tunnel patterns formed by changing the number of termites, N, and H were quantitatively characterized by territory circularity and the territory area. These patterns were categorized into two groups, one with a small territory area and high circularity (group 1) and the other with a large area and low circularity (group 2). Considering the previous study that the termite populations with high N values have high territorial scalability, it can be said that the territories belonging to group 2 have higher foraging abilities and viability than those belonging to group 1. The simulation results showed that the tunnel patterns generated for small N and high H belonged to group 2. This implies that the heterogeneity can make a positive contribution to the expansion of the foraging area by effectively focusing the foraging energy of a termite population. I briefly discussed the mechanism of this positive role and the limitations of this simulation study. In addition, I discussed issues that need to be resolved in the near future to overcome the limitations.

Influence of Food Resource Size on the Foraging Behavior of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky)

In general, termite foraging can be affected by physical and chemical factors linked to food. This study investigated if the wood length of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, as a food resource, influences the behavior of foraging events of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky). Nests with mature and active colonies were collected in the field and transferred to glass cubes connected to a test arena under laboratory conditions. Wooden blocks of E. grandis, with a 2.5 x 2.0 cm rectangular cross section, were offered to termites in three different lengths: 5, 10 and 15 cm. Each test was repeated with 20 nests and lasted 60 minutes, when the following behavioral events and their duration were observed: initial exploration, initial recruitment and mass recruitment. At the end of each test, the quantities of termites (total, workers and soldiers) and gnawing workers were determined. The results show that longer blocks favored a higher occurrence of exploration and initial recruitment. However, the highest mass recruitment occurred with the 10 cm blocks. The length of the wood influenced the total number of termites recruited and gnawing workers; both were highest for the 10 cm blocks. There was no significant difference in relation to exploration time of the blocks and number of workers and soldiers recruited. Therefore, we conclude that wood length is a factor that can affect N. corniger foraging.

Development of Multiplex Nested PCR for Simultaneous Detection of Ectoparasitic Fungi Laboulbeniopsis termitarius and Antennopsis gallica on Reticulitermes speratus (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae).

Laboulbeniopsis termitarius (Thaxt) and Antennopsis gallica (Buchli and Heim) are two of the most common ectoparasitic fungi found on the body surface of termites. While visual observation under a dissecting microscope is a common method used to screen for such fungi, it generally requires a large number of termites and is thus very time consuming. In this study, we develop a fast, efficient protocol to detect fungal infection on the termite Reticulitermes speratus (Kolbe). Species-specific primers were designed based on sequence data and amplified using a number of universal fungus primer pairs that target partial sequences of the 18s rRNA gene of the two fungi. To detect these fungi in a robust yet economic manner, we then developed a multiplex nested polymerase chain reaction assay using species-specific primers. Results suggested that both fungi could be successfully detected, even in cases where L. termitarius was at low titer (e.g., a single thallus per termite). The new method described here is recommended for future surveys of these two fungi, as it is more sensitive, species specific, and faster than visual observation, and is likely to facilitate a better understanding of these fungi and their dynamics in host populations.

Simulation study to determine why only some termites are active during tunneling activity

AbstractIt has been known that some termites are responsible for tunnel excavation for foraging, while others are not involved in the excavation. The biological reason for this is that the resting termites are a backup for the termites that have used up their energy in the tunneling activity. In this study, we build an agent‐based model (ABM) wherein agents (simulated termites) follow simple rules that govern their behavior. In this model, the agents are endowed with a directional vector that has been shown to exist in real termites, but they do not communicate through pheromonal or physical marking of excavation sites. They move toward the tunnel tips, tunnel when their progress in that direction is blocked, and transport the excavated soil. Using the model, we investigated the work efficiency of termites in constructing tunnels and transporting food; the efficiency was defined as the inverse value of tunnel connectivity plus tunnel expansion speed. Biologically, the connectivity is related to the energy to be used for termites to transport food through tunnels, and the tunnel expansion speed is related to the energy required for constructing tunnels. Simulation results showed that the efficiency was maximized at an intermediate number of termites. This means that termites were better to be inactive to maintain the high efficiency when too many workers are present in the colony. We briefly discuss the strength and weakness of the ABM and the values of this study in relation to termite foraging strategy.

Short communication: Diversity of tropical plants and their attractant properties for subterranean termite Coptotermes curvignathus

Indrayani Y, Muin M, Yoshimura T. 2017. Short communication: Diversity of tropical plants and their attractant properties for subterranean termite Coptotermes curvignathus. Biodiversitas 18: 1353-1357. The effectiveness of bio-based attractant from different leaves of tropical plants on subterranean termites Coptotermes curvignathus was examined under laboratory conditions. Five kinds of leaves of tropical plant such as cajuput (Melaleuca leucadendron L.), cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii (Nees & Th. Nees) Nees ex Blume, clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry), bay (Syzygium polyanthum Wight) and basil (Ocimum sanctum L.) were serving as termite feeding bio-based attractants for C. curvignathus. Bio-based attractants were obtained by cross cut dry leaves into smaller particles (dry weight 200 g) and dipped in 70% ethanol solution for 3 x 24 hrs. The extracts were then subjected to a rotary evaporator at 60 ºC until the extract changed to gel condition. 50 workers and five soldiers of C. curvignathus were tested in a no-choice test bioassay to determine their preferred bio-based attractant under the concentration of 10% and 50%. No-choice bioassays chambers were assembled by connecting two clear plastic glasses (bottom diameter 5 cm, top diameter 7 cm) with clear plastic hoses (inner diameter 3 mm, outer diameter 5 mm). Clear plastic hoses connectors allowed termites to move freely between glasses. A laboratory bioassay determined that the response of subterranean termite C. curvignathus on clove leaf was greater than other five leaves as indicated by termite moving time, and did not differ significantly between concentrations. No direct relationships were noted between the speed of the first termite moving time and number of termites recruited to the bio-attractant chamber.