Toxic effect of <i>Acacia nilotica</i> and <i>Bauhinia alba</i> leaf extracts on the gut fauna of <i>Heterotermes indicola</i> (Wasmann)

The South Asian subterranean termite, Heterotermes indicola is a serious hazard to agriculture due to its destructive feeding habits and resistance to conventional pesticides. Toxic effects of Acacia nilotica and Bauhinia alba leaf extracts were investigated on the termite mortality and their impact on termite gut microbiota. Extracts were evaluated for their ability to influence protozoa counts and colony-forming unit (CFU) densities within H. indicola, indicating digestive disruption. Findings revealed that both extracts exhibit dose-dependent mortality effects on H. indicola with LC50 values of 153.61% and 65.27% respectively. Furthermore, higher concentrations of these extracts correlated with reduced protozoa counts and altered CFU densities, suggesting significant alterations in termite gut microbiota. The study underscores the biopesticidal potentials of A. nilotica and B. alba and highlights their ecological implications in termite management.