Repellency of Schinus molle L. leaf extracts onto Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

IRG/WP 15-10850

A Huerta Fuentes, S Constenla Cáceres, Í Chiffelle Gómez

Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), is a subterranean termite which damage wood and it is a pest in several countries, where the economic losses are huge. In Chile there have been foci of infestation in the Metropolitan Region and in the Region of Valparaíso with a big expansion in the last years. This study evaluated in laboratory the repellence effect of extracts from Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) new leaves onto R. flavipes. The extracts were elaborated from two solvents, distilled water and ethanol. The repellency effect was determined by a direct selection test, in which the average of contact termites with treated and no treated filter paper disks with extracts prepared simultaneously was calculated, and the results were subjected to comparison paired tests. Obvious repellence effect from S. molle to R. flavipes was shown by the extracts, especially ethanolic. Both extracts revealed a greater effect with increasing concentration. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the extracts from S. molle in the repellence effect onto R. flavipes, so that leaf tree species could be considered in biopesticide preparation for integrated management of this pest, previous field evaluation and economic study.


Keywords: Reticulitermes flavipes, subterranean termites, repellency, Schinus molle

Conference: 15-05-10/14 Vina del Mar, Chile


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