Termicidal activity of Dalbergia sissoo, Heterophragma adenophylum, Grewia asiatica and Punica granatum against subterranean termite Heterotermes indicola

The present research was planned to assess the toxic nature of leaves extracts of Dalbergia sissoo, Heterophragma adenophylum, Grewia asiatica and Punica granatum against subterranean termite Heterotermes indicola. Which is very destructive termite and is widely distributed in Pakistan and all over the world. It caused loss of billions of dollars throughout the world every year. It mainly attacks on wood and wooden material including furniture and timber. It also destroys paper, cloths and buildings throughout the world. Different chemicals used in termite control have harmful effects on human health and environment. So alternative methods should be used. Replacement of chemical insecticides to bio-pesticides is great revolution as they are nontoxic and eco-friendly. Purpose of experiment was to explore termiticidal and protozoidal activity of leaves extracst of D.sissoo, H.adenophylum, G. asiatica and P. granatum as they are eco-friendly. The extract was prepared by making fine powder of leaves. Soxhlet apparatus was used for extraction. All of the three formulations tested were found to be effective in termite mortality and protozoa count, D.sissoo leaves extract was found to be very effective than other plants extracts used in study. So the toxicity of these plants can be expressed in following order: Dalbergia sissoo>Heterophragma adenophylum >Grewia asiatica >Punica granatum Leaves extracts against mortality and protozoans of H.indicola. and D. sisso was found to be more effective against termite and caused loss of protozoans’ number in termite gut as compare to control group.