Ability of plant-derived oils to inhibit dampwood termite (Zootermopsis augusticollis) activity

Abstract

The potential effects of plant derived oils on survival of dampwood termite (Zootermopsis augusticollis) workers was explored on western white pine sapwood blocks. All of the oils rapidly affected protozoa in the hindgut of termite workers and protozoa loss was closely followed by worker mortality. The effects were most rapid with wood treated with Neem, Eucalyptus or Jatropha oils, but mortality also occurred within 7 days with workers exposed to blocks treated with Jojoba or linseed oil. The results illustrate the relatively
high sensitivity of dampwood termites to these types of treatment and suggest the potential for natural product control of this termite species.