Abstract:
Species of subterranean termites (not yet identified), foraging in a field 2 weeks prior to the choice-feeding experiments where cassava and Vitex doniana cuttings were simultaneously offered, showed marked preference for V. doniana over cassava. Indeed, V. doniana cuttings buried in close proximity to cassava attracted relatively higher termite populations which evidently resulted in a 3-fold increase in the sprouting of such cassava cuttings. Chemical (s) in the wood or bark were suspected to be the basis for the V. doniana attractancy to termites. Technical improve-ment of the method is suggested and the potential environmental advantages of this termite management strategy vis-a-vis the traditional chemical method of termite control under permissive tropical climates are briefly discussed.