EFFECTS OF EXTRACTS OF THE WOODS TABEBUIA SP. (BIGNONIACEAE) AND MEZILAURUS SP. (LAURACEAE) ON THE DRY-WOOD TERMITE, CRYPTOTERMES BREVIS (ISOPTERA: KALOTERMITIDAE)

ABSTRACT

The effects of chlorophormic extracts of the woods Ipê (Tabebuia sp.) and Itaúba (Mezilaurus sp.) on the dry-wood termite Cryptotermes brevis were investigated. The extracts were applied at a rate of 0.1g/mL to filter paper used to feed the termites. Analysis of substrate consumption rates and mortality by the Kruskal-Wallis method indicate a statistically significant reduction of feeding rates and increase of mortality after 30 days. All symbionts were totally eliminated by Ipê extracts. Itaúba extracts, however, removed Calonympha sp. and Devescovina sp., but not other symbionts, from termite guts. Clearly, extracts of both Ipê and Itaúba contain toxic compounds to termites and their symbionts.

KEY WORDS:
Extracts; woods; Tabebuia; Mezilaurus; termites; symbionts.