Plant essential oils are potential sources of insecticidal compounds, but have rarely been explored for their effect on termites. In the present study, we assessed the chemical composition of essential oils of
Lippia sidoides Cham. (pepper‐rosmarin; Verbenaceae) and
Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (patchouli; Lamiacaeae) and evaluated their toxicity, behavioral impairment, and repellence to termite species of the genera
Amitermes and
Microcerotermes (Isoptera: Termitidae: Termitinae). The main components of essential oils of
L. sidoides and
P. cablin were thymol (44.6%) and patchouli alcohol (36.6%), respectively. The essential oil of
P. cablin was most potent against
Amitermes cf.
amifer Silvestri and had the lowest LD
50 (0.63 μg mg
?1). There was no difference in toxicity for
Microcerotermes indistinctus Mathews between the essential oils of
L. sidoides (LD
50 = 1.49 μg mg
?1) and
P. cablin (LD
50 = 1.67 μg mg
?1).
Pogostemon cablin essential oil was the most toxic to
M. indistinctus (LC
50 = 0.32 μl ml
?1) and
A. cf.
amifer (LC
50 = 0.29 μl ml
?1). The essential oils analyzed exhibited high toxicity and repellence to the termites, in addition to reducing behavioral interactions among individuals, thus constituting potential termiticides.
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