Preliminary tests on the effect of naturally occurring chemicals on termites

IRG/WP 1181

Nana Supriana

Twenty-eight naturally occurring chemicals consisting of monoterpenes, quinones and wood·extractives were tested against seven species of termite. Small pieces of filter pad and agathis wood chips measuring 5 mm by 10 mm were treated with the chemicals and exposed to the termites in polystyrene weighing bottles. Results of the tests revealed that the chemicals inhibited the feeding behaviour of termites. The monoterpenes were repellent to termites although they were non-toxic at the concentration used. Quinones and anthraquinones were both repellent and toxic. The chemicals were more toxic and repellent to termites when they were used on filter pads than when they were presented on woods chips.


Keywords: SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES; MONOTERPENES; QUINONES; ANTHRAQUINONES; HYDROCARBONES; EXTRACTIVES; AGATHIS; DRYWOOD TERMITES; PINOSYLVIN; DISRUPTANTS

Conference: 83-05-09/13 Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia


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