Toxicity and repellency of patchouli oil and patchouli alcohol against Formosan subterranean termites Coptotermes formosanus shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Patchouli oil obtained from Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth and its main constituent, patchouli alcohol, were tested for their repellency and toxicity against Formosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki). Both were found to be toxic and repellent. Unusual tissue destruction was noted inside the exoskeleton of the termite after patchouli alcohol was topically applied to the dorsum.