Integrated Management of Multiple Termite Genera

Termites are fascinating insects from biological and ecological perspectives. They are Social insects consisting of King, Queen, soldiers and Workers and division of labor is highly developed. They are cryptic in their lifestyle which limited in depth studies related to their ecology, biology, behaviors and management. They play important role in decomposition of plant and animal origin and in ecological communities. Termites are responsible for much of the degradation of wood and other cellulose material in the terrestrial environment, mainly in the tropics and subtropics. Unfortunately, they are also one of the major insect pests recorded in tropics and subtropics and now spreading to warmer temperate regions because of building designs which create favorable environmental condition for termites. They are some of the most economically important insects known to humans. Termites are an important group of insect pests in rural and urban environment. They cause considerable damage to trees, pasture lands, wooden structures, earthen dams, underground electrical cables, wooden buildings, wooden furnishings and items made of paper.