Field Evaluation of Promising Botanical Extracts, Plant Essential Oils and Differential Chemistry Insecticides against Subterranean Termites Odontotermes obesus (Isoptera: Termitidae).

Subterranean termites are destructive pests of agricultural crops, forest and orchard plantations and wooden infrastructures. A wide range of persistent synthetic chemicals are employed to prevent and control the infestations of subterranean termites. Most of these chemicals have high mammalian toxicity and environmental hazards. This study was, therefore, aimed to evaluate the efficacy of some promising botanical extracts (Dodonaea viscosa, Gardenia jasminoides and Nerium indicum), plant essential oils (Allium sativum, Citrus aurantium and Cymbopogon citratus) and differential-chemistry insecticides (chlorantraniliprole, chlorfenapyr, emamectin, indoxacarb, pyriproxyfen and triflumuron) against subterranean termites (Odontotermes obesus) attacking sugarcane crop. Setts of sugarcane variety HSF555 were sown on the ridges under RCB design after treating them with 20% botanical extracts, 2.0% essential oils and differential-chemistry insecticides with their field recommended dose rates. Results revealed that as compared to control plots, all treatment plots exhibited reduced bud and shoot damage with maximum bud germination and minimum termite infestation. Maximum bud germination was recorded in chlorantraniliprole (92.99%) and chlorfenapyr (92.03%), followed by C. aurantium (92.84%) and A. sativum (85.78%) as compared to minimum bud germination in control (40.85%). Highest bud and shoot damage was recorded in control (61.92 and 48.15%, respectively), while the lowest was recorded in C. aurantium (16.18 and 15.56%, respectively). Similarly, minimum per sett termite counts was recorded in chlorantraniliprole (16.25) treated plots, followed by chlorfenapyr (22.83), pyriproxyfen (30.04), A. sativum (28.50) and C. aurantium (29.00), while maximum termite infestation was recorded in control (68.50 individuals per sett). In brief, chlorantraniliprole, chlorfenapyr and pyriproxyfen among differential-chemistry insecticides and A. sativum, C. aurantium and G. jasminoides among botanicals were the most effective at preventing the upsurge of termite infestation till 90 days of sett sowing, and are recommended to be used as eco-friendly options for controlling subterranean termites in sugarcane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]