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Termites of Delhi: Diversity and Pest Status
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Ten species of termites (viz., Coptotermes heimi, Microtermes mycophagus, M. obesi, Odontotermes obesus, O. brunneus, O. gurdaspurensis, O. bellahunisensis, O. bhagwatii, O. redemanni and Heterotermes indicola) belonging to two families (Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae) and four genera (Coptotermes, Microtermes, Odontotermes and Heterotermes) are reported here from Delhi, of which last four are the new records from this region. Out of these 10 species, two species are reported as structural pest, five species as pest of timber-in-service, one as a horticultural pest and three species as agricultural pests. Two species are considered major pests in agriculture, and status of most of the others is uncertain. The most important structural pest is Heterotermes indicola in Delhi. The main agricultural pests are Odontotermes spp. and Microtermes spp., and the most affected crops are maize, wheat and chickpea. So, as on today 18 species of termites have been reported from Delhi.
Keywords
Termite, Diversity, Pest Status, New Records, Agricultural Pests, Heterotermes indicola, Odontotermes bellahunisensis
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