Abstract

Termites are the most destructive pests for agriculture crops and other commodities throughout Pakistan. Current, experiment was conducted for ecofriendly management of termites. Different specimens of termite (Heterotermes indicola) both worker and soldier caste were collected from various  localities  of  district  Swat.  Specimens  were  identified  based  on  the  morphometric characters of soldier caste. For the management of termites total six different species of plants (Cannabis sativa, Teucrium royleanum, Solanum dulcamara, Lepidium penatifidum, Andrachne cordifolia, Zanthoxylum armatum) at concentrations 5000 ppm, 8000 ppm, and 10,000 ppm were evaluated by using direct contact application and was used to determine their efficacy as termiticidal agent against H. indicola. Toxicity of various plant extracts was checked after 72 hours treatment. Cannabis sativa and Tencrium royaleanum were highly efficient against H.indicola and caused significant mortality. C. sativa at conc 5000 ppm, 8000 ppm, and 10,000 showed 4%, 12% and 68% mortality respectively at third day and T. royleanum at concentration

5000 ppm, 8000 ppm, and 10,000 showed 84%, 100%, 100% mortality respectively at third day of  experiment.  It was concluded  that  different  dosages of T. royleanum can be used as an effective control agent followed by Cannabis sativa.

Key words: Termites, botanical extracts, Swat.