The Investigation into Repellency Effects of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) Essential Oil on the Termite Microcerotermes diversus

Microcerotermes diversus Silvestri (Isoptera: Termitidae) is the most harmful termite species in Khuzestan province which causes damage to living plants and to wooden products in buildings. Using chemicals that are compatible with environment and with high potential to be used in integrated pest management programs، such as essential oils and plant extracts، is extremely important. In this study، two new models of olfactometer have been designed. This study investigated the repellency of Eucalyptus essential oil on M. diversus in olfactometer trials. Concentrations of the essential oil ranged from 0. 3% to 1. 6% (w: v). In the study of behavioral response to Eucalyptus oil using an olfactometer، the higher concentrations were used، the less termite movements to branches containing the essential oil were observed. Moreover، the results of different tests reveal that the highest amount of repellency effect of Eucalyptus essential oil (approximately 100%) induced by the concentration 1. 6%. Overall، this study reveals that Eucalyptus essential oil may be suggested as an effective toxicant with suitable fumigant and repellent effects on the termite M. diversus.