Analysis of feed preference of edible termites on selected plants and their crude extract photochemistry.

Abstract

Termites are social insects that live in colonies underground. Termites feed on a wide range of plants found within diverse habitats of Luanda sub County. This study aimed at assessing feed preference of edible termites and analyzing their phytochemical composition. In this study, termites were exposed to ten different test plants in their natural habitats to assess feed preference. The test plants were Grevillea robusta, Sugarcane, maize, Blue citronella grass, Eucalyptus, Mango, Avocado, Neem, Bamboo and a mixture of all the ten plants. Small pits were dug in the ground where the ten treatments were placed and replicated four times each. The test plants were placed in the evening then covered with soil block. The number of termites feeding on the test plants was counted after 12 hours the following day. There were separate trials for crushed and uncrushed feed substrates. The feed substrates that showed high feed preference were selected for phytochemical analysis. The plants whose crude extract was obtained were Grevillea robusta, Bamboo, Eucalyptus, Cypress, Maize and Sugarcane. This study has revealed that crushed feed substrates had a high level of feed preference by termites p<0.05. The mixture of all the feed substrates also showed high termite preference and a mean and SE of 676.500±41.7a. Phytochemical analysis of the crude plant extracts revealed that Eucalyptus had the highest number of phytochemicals present 9 out of 12. The identified phytochemicals were Saponins, Tannins, Alkaloids, Resins, Cardiac Glycosides, carbohydrates, phenols and flavones.