Synergistic effect of commercial pesticides and entomopathogenic

fungi on Coptotermes heimi Wasmann (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

By
Muhammad Shoaib

Department of Zoology
Faculty of Biological Sciences
Quaid-i-Azam University
Islamabad
2023
Synergistic effect of commercial pesticides and entomopathogenic
fungi on Coptotermes heimi Wasmann (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY

IN

ZOOLOGY

(Entomology)

By
MUHAMMAD SHOAIB

Department of Zoology
Faculty of Biological Sciences
Quaid-i-Azam University
Islamabad
2023
 CERTIFICATE

This is certified that the dissertation “Synergistic effect of commercial pesticides and
entomopathogenic fungi on Coptotermes heimi Wasmann (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)” by
Muhammad Shoaib, is accepted in its present form by the Department of Zoology, Faculty of
Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad as satisfying the thesis requirement for
the degree of Master of Philosophy in Zoology with specialization in Entomology.

Supervisor: _____________________

Dr. Naveeda Akhtar Qureshi

External Examiner: _____________________

Chairperson _____________________

Prof. Dr. Amina Zuberi

Date: _____________________
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the work presented in the following thesis is my own effort, except where
otherwise acknowledged, and that the thesis is my own composition. No part of this thesis has been
previously presented for any other degree.

_____________________
Muhammad Shoaib
 In the name of Allah, the most beneficent the most merciful

Dedication

With profound love & deep respect, this

dissertation is dedicated to my sweet and
loving parents
Whose affection, love, encouragement and
prayers of day and night make me able to
get this success and honor.
 Table of Contents

Sr. No. Title Page No.

1 List of Abbreviations i
2 List of Tables ii
3 List of Figures iii
4 Acknowledgements iv
5 Abstract v
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
Chapter 2 Materials and Methods 16
Chapter 3 Results 25
Chapter 4 Discussion 37
Chapter 5 Conclusion 39
Chapter 6 References 40
 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ppm parts per million

PVP Polyvinylpyrrolidone
APLC Australian Plague Locust Commission
CPF Chlorpyrifos
DDT Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
UCCP Union Carbide Corporation Plant
EC Emulcifiable Concentrate
SC Suspension Concentrate
RH Relative humidity
EPNs Entomopathogenic nematodes
EPF Entomopathogenic fungi
SD Standard Deviation
LPCB Lactophenol Cotton Blue
PVC Polyvinyl chloride
CTAB Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide
PDA Potato Dextrose Agar
 LIST OF TABLES

Table No Title Page No

3.1 Percentage germination, vegetative growth, and sporulation of fungi on 28

PDA media treated with different concentrations of insecticides
3.2 Percentage mortality (mean±Sd) of different concentrations of insecticides 32
at different days
3.3 Percentage mortality (mean±Sd) of different conidial concentrations of 34
fungi at different days
3.4 Percentage mortality (mean±Sd) of different insecticides in combination with 35
Fusarium solani at different days
3.5 Percentage mortality (mean±Sd) of different insecticides in combination 36
with Fusarium falciforme at different days

Sr.No. List Page. No.

1.1 The life cycle termite 2
1.2 Schematic representation Imaginal organ development in each caste of 5
termite
1.3 Termites phylogeny showing families and subfamilies of Lower and Higher 8
termites
2.1 Map indicating sample collection sites of Coptotermes heimi 16
2.2 Termites collection from sampling sites 17
2.3 Insecticides stock solutions and sub lethal concentrations 19
3.1 Fungal isolates on PDA media 25
3.2 PCR amplification of the ITS-1 rRNA gene of fungi 26
3.3 Molecular phylogenetic tree for isolated fungi 27
3.4 Effect and interaction plot for % germination of conidia at different 29
concentrations of insecticides
3.5 Effect and interaction plot for % vegetation growth of fungal colonies at 30
different concentrations of insecticides
3.6 Effect and interaction plot for % sporulation of conidia at different 31
concentrations of insecticides
3.7 Percentage mortality (mean±Sd) of different concentrations of insecticides 33
at different days
3.8 Percentage mortality (mean±Sd) of different conidial concentrations of 34
fungi at different days
3.9 Percentage mortality (mean±Sd) of different insecticides in combination 36
with Fusarium solani at different days
3.10 Percentage mortality (mean±Sd) of different insecticides in combination 37
with Fusarium falciforme at different days
LIST OF FIGURES
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

All the acclamations and appreciations are for Almighty ALLAH, the compassionates and generous
that knows best the mysteries and secrets of the universe, and his Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace
Be Upon Him) who has guided His Ummah to seek knowledge from cradle to grave and enabled me
to win the honor of the life and whose teachings have served as a signal of light for the humanity in
the hours of despair and darkness. I offer my humble and sincerest words of thanks to ALLAH
Almighty that despite all problems which I encountered during M. Phil enabled me to complete this
dissertation.

It is a great pleasure to pen my acknowledgment towards all those from whom I have incurred my
debts and obligations during the compilation of my thesis. My heartiest compliments go to my
supervisor Dr. Naveeda Akhtar Qureshi, as for her guidance, cooperation, and knowledgeable help. I
feel lucky that I availed the opportunity to work under her kind supervision. I pray for her success and
peace in the world and hereafter.

My gratitude extends to the Department of Zoology, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad for

providing me with the necessary research environment.

I am extremely grateful to my parents for their love, prayers, care and sacrifices for educating and
preparing me for my future. I would like to express my deepest and heartfelt gratitude to my senior,
lab mate Dr Muhammad Afzal. His timely advice, meticulous scrutiny, timely suggestion with
kindness, enthusiasm and dynamism have enabled me to complete my research. My special thanks
goes to my eldest brother Mr. Muhammad Saleem for all his financial support and undying
encouragement.

I would like to acknowledge my seniors Ms. Attiya Qadeer, Ms. Rehana Zenab, Ms. Wajiha Gul,
Ms. Amber Batool, Ms. Atiya Iqbal, Mr. Shah Fahad and Mr. Syed Ayzaz Ali Shah, for their
guidance, data arrangement, and reviewing write-up.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge my fellow lab mates Mr. Abdul Ghani, Mr. Shah Tariq Aziz,
Ms. Tahseen Zafar, Ms. Shanzae Tahir and Ms. Eisha Ehsan who helped me the most in data
collection, data arrangement, formatting, and for their cooperation throughout my research.
Muhammad Shoaib
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