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© 2019 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

EVALUATION OF SELECTED BOTANICAL EXTRACTS AGAINST MENDI TERMITE  
Macrotermes subhyalinus (Isoptera: Termitidae), UNDER LABORATORY CONDITION   

 

 

Weldesenbet Beze 
Kassie 

 

Central Ethiopia Environment and Forest Research Institute, Department of 
Forest Protection, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. 

 
 

 
(+ Corresponding author) 

 ABSTRACT 
 
Article History 
Received: 17 June 2019 
Revised: 24 July 2019 
Accepted: 26 August 2019 
Published: 14 October 2019 
 
 
 

Keywords 
Botanical 
Extract 
Mortality 
Pesticide 
Pest 
Termite 
Subterranean. 

 
Termites are most pestiferous insects causing damage to crop and buildings. Their 
control still relies mainly on harmful chemical pesticides to the detriment of eco-
friendly pesticides. The main objective of the study was evaluate seed extracts of 
Brassica nigra and leaves extracts of Acokantra schimperi, Croton macrostachyus and 
Rhamnus prinoides against Macrotermes subhyalinus, known to cause damage to crops, 
vegetation and buildings in Ethiopia. Treatments were consisted of three 
concentrations levels (5, 10 and 15 weight of botanical powder (g) per 100 ml volume of 
water) by three replications. Mortality of termite was counted after 24, 48 and 72 hours 
exposure for both conditions. The results of all botanical extracts at all concentration 
levels showed that caused mortality of M. subhyalinus workers. Complete mortality 
(100%) of M. subhyalinus was observed after treatment with 15 w/v B. nigra extract at 
three time intervals. Moreover, A. schimperi at 15 w/v concentration also resulted 100% 
mortality after 48-72 hours of exposure. Brassica nigra extract showed least LC50 
(5.63g/100ml) value than other botanical extracts after 24 hours exposure. Based on 
their toxicity status extracts of B. nigra > A. schmperi > R. prinoides > C. macrostachyus 
leaf extracts.  
 

Contribution/Originality: This study contributes to the existing literature by giving important information for 

farmers, government and Non-governmental developmental sectors to control Mendi Termite Macrotermes 

subhyalinus by using of these locally available botanical extracts alternatives rather than using synthetic pesticides 

because, botanical extracts have minimum mammalian toxicity and environmental influences.   

 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Termites are eusocial insects that are the most agriculturally and structurally important insects and which 

cause for vast economic loss by feeding on many crops, plants and wooden strictures in buildings. They have ability 

to feed various stages of plant growth [1]. Termites are successful and destructive pests that comprise under order 

Isoptera, that developed cellulose and xylan digestion capabilities that allow them to obtain energy and nutrition 

from nutritionally poor food sources, such as plant material and residues derived from it (e.g., wood and humus) [2] 

which, damage  homes and other structures in short period of time, because their colony members are huge and 

long lived [3]. To control termites, synthetic pesticides play important roles. However, Intensive use of synthetic 

insecticides is one of the strongest factors responsible for the rapid development of resistance in many species of 

insects and create number of ecological problems, development insect resistance and unsafe to non-target organisms 

Current Research in Agricultural Sciences 
2019 Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 135-140 
ISSN(e): 2312-6418 
ISSN(p): 2313-3716 
DOI: 10.18488/journal.68.2019.62.135.140 
© 2019 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

https://www.doi.org/10.18488/journal.68.2019.62.135.140


Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2019, 6(2): 135-140 

 

 
136 

© 2019 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

including human being [4]. Using synthetic pesticides repeatedly to manage termites increase environmental 

influences, pest resistance and pest resurgence of other insect pests [5].  

These adverse effects of synthetic pesticides are bearing attention for development of botanical pesticides to 

control different insect pests. Botanical extracts and powders from different bioactive plants used for insecticidal, 

repellent and anti-feeding properties [6]. Plant based pesticides are preferred to control insect pests because of 

their less harmful nature to non-target organisms due to their innate biodegradability [7]. The uses of these 

biologically active botanical extracts are   usually   safer   to   humans   and   the environment than conventional 

pesticides, with minimal residual effects and also with least development of resistance against pests.  Therefore, the 

aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of B. nigra seeds and A. schimperi, C. macrostachyus and R. prinoides 

leaves extracts against M. subhyalinus workers under laboratory condition. 

 

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 

The study design: Laboratory experiment was arranged as Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three 

replications per treatment for each botanical extracts concentration levels. The same batch of M. subhyalinus 

workers for laboratory experiment was chosen and collected from newly termite infested field (February-May, 

2017) by bucket traps. All botanical extracts effectiveness was evaluated against workers by comparing from 

standard check (Chloropyrifos 48% E. C) and an untreated check (water). 

Collection of plant materials: For efficacy test four locally available botanicals Table 1 were selected based on 

cultural used information and preliminary study. They collected from Debre Markos town and surrounding from 

January 21st to 25th in 2017.  

Plant materials were brought into the laboratory by polyethylene bags. Identification of botanical species has 

been done by expert. Voucher specimens of the botanical species were deposited in herbarium at Debre Markos 

University, Ethiopia. 

 
Table-1. List of plant materials tested against M. subhyalinus termite workers. 

Scientific name Family name Common name Part used 

Brassica nigra Brassicaceae Black mustard Seeds 
Acokanthera schimperi Apocynaceae Poison bush Leaves 
Croton macrostachyus Euphorbiaceae Broad levead-croton Leaves 

Rhamnus prinoides Rhamnaceae Dogwood Leaves 
                    Source: Medicinal plant in Ethiopia. 

 

Preparation of botanical extracts: Collected botanical parts were washed by sterilized water to avoid dust 

particles and tiny organisms that are present on them. After that, they were dried in well-ventilated room under 

shade for ten days until completely dry at room temperature (18-25ºC). Dried form of plant materials were grinded 

into powder by using pestle and mortar to obtain uniform fine powder and stored in separate plastic containers. 

Sensitive balance was used to measure 5g, 10g and 15g portion of each grinded fine powder. Each grinded botanical 

powder were soaked in 100 ml of water to obtain three concentration levels (5, 10 and 15 w/v) weight of 

powder/volume of water, then shacked for five minutes to make homogeneous. After stay two days, each solution 

supernatant was filtered by Whatman (No.1) to remove impurities. Filtration has been done repeatedly to obtain 

maximum amount of the extract. Then, 25ml extract solution was taken and applied independently for each 

treatment. Chloropyrifos 48% Emuisifiable Concentrate was diluted in water based on the recommended field 

application rate. In all experiments, the same volume (25ml) of Chlorpyrifos 48% E.C. and water were used as a 

standard check and untreated check controls, respectively. The percentage of extracts varies, when the amount of 

material used were transformed, in same water quantity as described [8]. Efficacy of selected botanical extracts 

against M. subhyalinus under laboratory condition: Laboratory experiment was done repeatedly to check the 

accuracy. Bioassays were carried out to determine the mortality of Formosan workers by each botanical termiticides 



Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2019, 6(2): 135-140 

 

 
137 

© 2019 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

activities. For laboratory test, 42 cups were labeled and arranged in carton box (120cm x 80cm x 40cm), which was 

inspected for maintenance of required moisture level. The volume of each container was 1 liter. Then, a piece of 

moistened Eucalyptus globules wood was added as food source and five gram soil to maintain moisture level were 

placed for survival of termites in each prepared cups. Immediately, 20 workers were counted and introduced in each 

42 prepared cups carefully. For acclimatization of termites, laboratory room temperature (20-28oc) was controlled 

by using 100 watt electric bulb. Moisture also adjusted by added drops of water in each cups to create optimum 

humidity. The box had covered by sake that able to exchange of air for them and stay for five days to check their 

adaptation in the laboratory. During application time, from each prepared filtered solution 25ml extract was 

sprayed in each cup to test the efficacy. Mortality of termites was recorded carefully and accurately after 24, 48 and 

72 hours of exposure. Percentage of mortality has been calculated by Abbott [9] equation. 

 

Data analysis: Data was subjected to one-way of analysis of variance (ANOVA) by using SPSS version 20 

software to determine statistically significant differences among treatments. Significant differences means were 

separated by using Tukey’s studentized range test (α =0.05). The lethal concentration (LC50) and (LC90) were 

analyzed by probit analysis to determine botanical extracts toxicity. 50% and 90% mortality were calculated after 

24, 48 and 72 hours. 

 

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

Evaluation of the efficacy of botanical extracts under laboratory conditions: Effectiveness of botanical extracts 

on of M. subhyalinus workers under laboratory condition represented in Table 2. As indicated in Table 2, at 5 w/v 

botanical extracts concentration level after 24 hours exposure highest and lowest mortality were recorded from B. 

ngra and R. prinoides respectively under laboratory condition. Similarly, after 48 hours exposure of time interval 

maximum termite mortality (100%) also was recorded from standard check. 

At 5 w/v botanical extracts concentration level, after 48 hours exposure mean mortality of termites was 

increased as 66.67, 33.33, 10.53 and 23.33 mean mortality of termites were recorded from B. ngra, A. schmperi, C. 

macrostachyus and R. prinoides respectively. At 5 w/v concentration level of botanical extracts, the highest (78.33) 

and the least (26.67) mean mortality of termites under laboratory condition were registered from B. nigra and C. 

macrostachyus respectively, after 72 hours exposure time. 

 
Table-2.  Mean mortality ± SE of of M. subhyalinus workers by botanical extracts under laboratory. 

Treatments Concentration 
(w/v) 

Mean  mortality ± SE over time (hours) exposure 

24 hours 48 hours 72 hours 

Brassica nigra 5 53.33 ± 1.67d 66.67 ± 1.67d 78.33 ± 1.67c 

 10 86.67 ± 1.67b 90.00 ± 0.00b 96.67 ± 1.67a 

 15 100.00 ± 0.00a 100.00 ± 0.00a 100.00 ± 0.00a 

Acokanthera  schmperi 5 21.67 ± 1.67g 33.33 ± 2.89f 41.67 ± 1.67e 

 10 53.33 ± 3.33d 63.33 ± 1.67d 76.67 ± 1.67c 

 15 91.67± 2.89b 100.00±0.00a 100.00 ± 0.00a 

Croton macrostachyus 5 8.33 ± 1.67h 18.33 ± 2.89g 26.67 ± 1.67f 

 10 30.00 ± 2.89f 36.67± 1.67f 40.00 ± 0.00e 

 15 43.67 ± 1.67e 53.33 ± 3.33e 61.67 ± 2.89d 

Rhamnut prinoides 5 11.67 ± 1.67h 23.33 ± 1.67g 31.67 ± 1.67f 

 10 56.67 ± 1.67d 65.00 ± 0.00d 73.33 ± 1.67c 

 15 78.33 ± 1.67c 83.33 ± 1.67c 88.33 ± 1.67b 

Chloropyrifos 48% E.C 25ml 100.00 ± 0.00a 100.00 ± 0.00a 100.00 ± 0.00a 

Untreated check (water) 25ml 0.00 ± 0.00i 0.00± 0.00h 0.00± 0.00g 

CV (%) 5.30 3.67 3.54 
P-value  <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 

Means within a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different (Tukey Student Test (HSD) at p=0.05).  Key: SE=Systematic Error,     
w/v= weight of powder/volume of water. 



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Mean mortality of termite (96.67%) by B. nigra, (76.67) mortality by A. schmperi (40.00)% by C. macrostachyus 

and 73.33 by R. prinoides were recorded after 72 hours at 10 w/v concentration. There was highly significant 

difference (P<0.0001), among the different treatments at different time intervals (24, 48 and 72 hours) due to the 

potency (termicidal effect) of botanical extracts. There was no significant difference among B. nigra at 5 w/v, A. 

schmperi and R. prinoides at 10 w/v concentration levels after all (24, 48 and 72 hours of exposure time as indicated 

in Table 2. 

Maximum termite mortality (100%) from Chloropyrifos followed by non-significantly difference 10 and 15 w/v 

concentration of B. nigra and 15 w/v concentration of A. schmperi after 72 hours exposure under laboratory 

condition. As indicated in Table 2, 61.67 and 88.33 mean mortality of termites were recorded from C. macrostachyus 

and R. prinoides respectively at 15 w/v concentration level after 72 hours exposure of time. 

The highest and least mean mortality of termite was recorded from B. nigra seeds and C. macrostachyus leaf 

extracts respectively. No termite mortality was recorded from untreated check. Mean mortality of termites in all 

botanical extracts concentration levels was also increased based on exposure time intervals. 

 
Table-3. Toxicity analysis of botanical extracts on of M. subhyalinus workers. 

Treatments After 24 hours After  48 hours After 72 hours 

LC50 LC90 LC50 LC90 
 

LC50 LC90 
 B. nigra 5.63 

(4.12-6.99) 
9.71 

(8.15-12.59) 
4.86 

(3.48-6.31) 
8.75 

(6.53-9.97) 
 

3.97 
(2.08-4.87) 

 

6.87 
(5.12-8.23) A. schmperi 9.20 

(7.60-10.91) 
14.72 

(12.66-18.57) 
7.65 

(6.15-9.17) 
12.45 

(10.66-15.77) 
 

6.65 
(5.15-8.09) 

 

11.14 
(9.45-14.24) 

C. macrostachyus 15.31 
(12.51-22.50) 

24.64 
(19.16-43.01) 

13.44 
(10.90-18.64) 

 

23.15 
(18.16-37.66) 

 

11.91 
(9.56-15.84) 

 

21.44 
(17.04-33.04) 

 R. prinoides 10.36 
(8.66-12.78) 

16.42 
(14.08-21.05) 

8.65 
(6.95-10.36) 

 

14.52 
(12.42-18.34) 

 

7.98 
(6.24-9.69) 

 

13.98 
(11.88-17.77) 

 Source: SPSS statically procedures. 

  

Dose response bioassay under laboratory condition: The results of the LC50 and LC90, is indicated in Table 3. 

Minimum concentration required to kill 50% and 90% of the tested worker of M. subhyalinus were calculated for 

each botanicals after 24, 48 and 72 hours exposure of time with their lower and upper limits. As indicated in Table 3 

minimum concentration (3.97g/100ml) that used to kill 50% of tested termites’ recorded from B. nigra after 72 

hours. Maximum concentration (15.31 g/100ml) that used to kill 50% of tested termites’ recorded from C. 

macrostachyus after 24 hours exposure. 

In the present study, tested botanical extracts showed mortality on the of M. subhyalinus workers. As indicated 

in Table 2  there was highly significant difference (P<0.0001) between different treatments at different time of 

exposure (24, 48 and 72 hours) due to the potency of botanical extracts at all concentration levels. There was no 

mortality of termites observed in the untreated check over the entire exposure (72 hours) of the experiment. 

Maximum mean mortality of termites (100%) was registered from Chloropyrifos 48% E. C, which highly 

significantly differences from botanicals treatments that cause mortality against C. formosanus workers. This is in 

agreement with Shiberu, et al. [10] reported that Chloropyrifos 48% E. C gives 100% mortality on Macroterms Spp. 

under laboratory condition. 

The present experiment showed that, mean mortality of termites was increased, when the concentration level 

of botanicals were increased and time of exposure increased Table 2. Based on the present results, maximum termite 

mortality was observed at higher concentrations (15 w/v) after 72 hours exposure. This result is in agreement with 

Upadhyay [11] and Sattar, et al. [12] who reported that mortality of termites, were directly proportion to 

botanical extract concentrations and exposure time of treatments. 

In the present study, mean mortality (100%) on of M. subhyalinus workers by positive control was not 

significantly different from 15 w/v B. nigra after all time of exposure and A. schmperi after 48 and 72 hours exposure 



Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2019, 6(2): 135-140 

 

 
139 

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time Table 2. In the current study, B. nigra aqueous seeds extract (LC50= 5.63 g/100ml water and LC90=9.71 

g/100ml) displayed highest lethal effect against of M. subhyalinus workers after 24 hours exposure. 

In others investigation, 70% ethanol B. nigra seeds extract, possessed good microbial activities [13]. Whereas 

water extracts of elder flowers of Sambucas nigra can repel granary weevils (Sitophilus granarius) at 5, 10 and 15 w/v 

concentrations in 200 ml water [14]. In the present study, C. formosanus termite mortality was recorded  in seed 

extract of B. nigra and leaf extracts of A. schmperi, C. macrostachyus and R. prinoides after 24 hours exposure under 

laboratory condition  (LC50=5.63, 9.20, 15.31 and 10.36g/100ml) and (LC90= 9.71, 14.72, 24.64 and 16.42g/100 ml 

water) respectively. 

In present experiment, C. macrostachyus leaf extracts at 5, 10 and 15 w/v concentration levels after all time of 

exposure showed less toxic effect among all botanical extracts. This result was  in lined with the finding of Shiberu, 

et al. [10] who reported that seed extracts of C. macrostachys at 25% concentration level was also less toxic effect on 

Macroterms Spp. (Isoptera: Termitidae), even after 5 days under laboratory conditions.  

Croton macrostachyus leaf extract of the present study gave 26.67% and 15.00% mortality on C. formosanus 

workers after 72 hours exposure at 5 w/v concentrations under laboratory and semi-field conditions respectively. 

While in the other findings, aqueous leaf extracts of C. macrostachyus at 5 w/v concentration level achieved 100% 

mortality on African bollworm, Helicover pagrmiyera Hubner after 72 hours [15]. 

 

4. CONCLUSION 

The present study findings had important implications in the practical control of Mendi Termite  by using 

botanical extracts, which are easy to prepare. From the present study results, it can be concluded that, the efficacy 

of botanicals depending on the amount of concentration and time of application (acting in short, medium and long 

period of time after treated). The result showed that, B. nigra and A. schmperi were more effective than other 

treatments on M. subhyalinus workers.  So, users use high concentration of effective botanicals for monitoring or 

preventing Mendi termite  workers in short period of time. From the above result, it is clear that all the tested 

botanical extracts at 15 w/v concentration level after 72 hours provided more than 50% mortality. As a result, B. 

nigra, A. schmperi, C. macrostachyus and R. prinoides botanical extracts can be used as an integrated termite 

management (IPM) at higher concentration levels. In conclusion, this study considering the bio-activity of extracts 

from seeds of B. nigra, leaves of A. schmperi, C. macrostachyus and R. prinoides at managing of M. subhyalinus termite 

workers could be considered for exploration in the management of Mendi termites on the field. 

 

5. RECOMMENDATIONS 

Aqueous extract of tested botanicals have promising. Therefore, wide range of field study should be made 

particularly in areas where Mendi Termite species is highly prevalent to determine the practical potential of the 

botanical extracts by using different solvents like ethanol, methanol, distilled water, etc. at different concentrations. 

Further studies should be made on the evaluation of these plants extract on other termite species and insect pests 

on the field. This study also suggest that active ingredient of botanical extracts responsible for causing mortality of 

Mendi Termite  Macrotermes subhyalinus workers should be identified and non-target effects of botanical extracts 

should be studied. 

 

Funding: This study received no specific financial support.    
Competing Interests: The author declares that there are no conflicts of interests regarding the publication 
of this paper. 
Contributors/Acknowledgement: I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Sundarsan Reddey 
for his consistent comments from starting to the completion of my work and valuable assistance in SPSS 
programs and for identification of Mendi termite species by using different identification methods. 

 



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