Atividade repelente e mortalidade do extrato da madeira de mezilaurus itaúba (meissn.) taube ex mez contra cupim nasutitermes

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the repellent activity and mortality rate caused by the wood extract of Mezilaurus itauba on termites of the genus Nasutitermes. Wood-boring termites pose a significant threat to wooden structures, especially in tropical regions, and natural alternatives for their control are increasingly needed. “Itauba” wood, known for its natural resistance, contains extractive compounds with insecticidal and repellent properties. The methodology involved collecting termites, preparing the plant extract and performing bioassays to test the behavior and mortality of the insects when faced with different concentrations of the substance. The results obtained show that the ethanolic extract is effective in repelling at a concentration of 1.5%, while the hydroalcoholic extract was effective at a concentration of 1.3%. Both extracts were neutral at the highest concentration (5%). During the 24-hour period of the experiment, there was a mortality rate of approximately 16% for the ethanol extract at a concentration of 1.5%, while for the hydroalcoholic extract at this concentration the mortality rate was 76.5%, reaching a percentage of 91.8% at a concentration of 1.3%. These results are corroborated by the Food Preference Index (IPA), which was higher for the ethanol extract at a concentration of 1.5% and at a concentration of 5% for the hydroalcoholic extract. These results, therefore, demonstrate the effectiveness of the extract as a repellent and termite mortality, indicating its potential use as an ecological alternative to synthetic pesticides. It is concluded that the use of plant extracts, such as that of Mezilaurus itauba, is a promising strategy in the sustainable management of Nasutitermes.