Avaliação da eficácia e repelência do extrato foliar da ‘‘cuieira’’ (crescentia cujete l.) contra cupins no município de Parintins AM

Abstract

Termites cause great economic loss in many parts of the world. The current combat using industrial chemical compounds impacts both the environment and human health. In this sense, we evaluated the crude extract obtained from the leaves of Crescentia cujete in its action against Nasutitermes termites. Tests were carried out to evaluate the ethanolic and hydroalcoholic extract on mortality, repellency and forced feeding test (feeding test). Results showed that both extracts from the leaves of Crescentia cujete have antithermitic activity and the hydroalcoholic extract was more expressive in the action of killing and repelling. The mortality rate was dependent on both dose and time, increasing positively with dose and exposure period. The ethanol extract showed better behavior than the hydroalcoholic extract with regard to the forced feeins test. Therefore, it is concluded that the crude extracts obtained from the leaves of Crescentia cujete have potential for use in combating termites.