Occurrence And Distribution Of Mound Building Termites In And Around Kuvempu University Campus, Shimoga, Karnataka State, India

Abstract

Three mound building termites, viz., Odontotermes wallonensis, Odontotermes obesus and Odontotermes redemanni Roomwal and Chhotani (1960), were identified from Kuvempu University campus, Jnana Sahyadri and adjacent Bhadra reservoir area. The shape of the mound of O.obesus was conical and extended vertically, consisting of one or more hallow conical turrets erected on the surface of the ground. Royal chamber in the mounds was usually placed at the base just beneath the fungus garden. The structure of mound of O. wallonensis was dome shaped with one or more turrets extended horizontally the wall of the turret was thin and smooth. The shape of the turrets were more in number, scattered on the ground with numerous vaults. In the established old mounds the fungus garden was enclosed in the vaults. The shape of the fungus garden was dome shaped and its colour was blackish-brown. The location of the royal chamber was excentric.The mound of O. redemanni was dome shaped with one or more turrets extended horizontally, low in height without any buttresses. The outer mound wall was thick, solid and devoid of openings. The fungus garden was situated in separate chambers which served as egg depository. A well developed royal chamber was located below the ground level. The occurrence and distribution of termites and their mounds in the area revealed that the rich humidity and cellulose material available supported the high density of termites.