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 overcassava. 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 improvement
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.