Incidence and Diversity of Termites Associated with Sugarcane in North-West Zone of India with New Records

Abstract

Termites, being serious pests of sugarcane, have been posing threat to its cultivation in Indo-Gangetic plains of North-West zone of India. Monthly observations round the year revealed a highest per cent incidence of termites in the month of August to the tune of 25.45% followed by 22.73, 21.82, 18.18 and 15.45% in the months of July, September, October and June, respectively. The incidence was lower in winter months, i.e. January, February and March with 4.55, 5.45 and 7.27%, respectively. It is evident from the weather data that monsoon season with high relative humidity and moderate temperature was favourable for the build-up of the population of termites, while winter season was unfavourable. Study on relative abundance of different species of termites in sugarcane revealed that termite species, Odontotermes obesus, occupied the maximum percentage of occurrence to the tune of 28.57% followed by that was 21.42, 14.28, 14.28, 14.28 and 7.14% of Microtermes obesi, O. horni, O. vaishno, O. bellahunisensis and Odontotermes sp., respectively. Of the total species recorded during the course of study, three species, viz. Odontotermes horni (Wasmann), O. vaishno Bose and O. bellahunisensis Holmgren and Holmgren, were recorded for the first time to infest sugarcane in India. An illustrated key was developed for easy and quick identification of termite species collected from sugarcane. The study holds promise for strategic planning for the management of termites in sugarcane agro-ecosystem.