Fight trial against fruit trees spoiler termites in Dakar area, Senegal.
Han S. H., Ndiaye A. B.
Author Affiliation: Laboratoire de Zoologie des Invertébrés Terrestres, IFAN-CAD, Dakar, Senegal.
Proceedings of the International Colloquia on Social Insects: Volume 3-4. : 173-178
Abstract : An inventory of termite [Isoptera] pests of 4 fruit tree species in the Dakar area of Senegal is presented. Five termite species (Odontotermes nilensis, Microtermes hollandei, Microcerotermes spp., Amitermes evuncifer and Psammotermes hybostoma) were responsible for attacks varying in scale from 51.3% on Mangifera indica [mango] to 25% on Annona muricata and Phyllanthus acidus. To control the termites, pieces of wood were used to attract the termites from the trees and the galleries on attacked trees were destroyed. The method reduced the level of termite attack on M. indica (to 9.4%) and Citrus spp. (to 5.3%) and eliminated the attack on A. muricata. A decrease in the number of pest species on the trees was also observed. The destruction of galleries deprived the termites of shelter and increased predation by ants [Formicidae], whilst the pieces of wood diverted the termites from the trees.