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Termite Biology and Social Behaviour

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Termites and Sustainable Management

Part of the book series: Sustainability in Plant and Crop Protection ((SUPP))

Abstract

The present chapter focuses on the biology of termites, showing different life stages and caste systems. Mating, reproduction, parthenogenesis and factors affecting development are discussed. Termite life cycle comprises of eggs, immature forms or nymphs and mature forms or adults, which include sterile workers, soldiers, pseudergates and various fertile winged or wingless reproductive forms. Nymphs have a very intricate and active life and after a few moults get transformed into different adult forms. Reproductive caste of termites comprises of present and future kings and queens, whereas the nonreproductive caste is formed by sterile workers and soldiers. The castes are determined during post-embryonic development, and each larva, at the first or second instar stage, has the potential to become a soldier, a worker, a king or a queen. Termites can be grouped according to their habitats and feeding habits into, viz. dampwood, drywood and subterranean termites. They are herbivorous and feed on wood, vegetable, soil, organic and faecal matter. They exhibit a significant preference to a particular food and are primarily dependent on cellulose, which they obtain from both living and dead wood. For cellulose digestion, they are totally dependent on the microscopic intestinal fauna, as they cannot synthesize cellulase. Environmental factors affect termite colonies. Temperature has a positive correlation with the developmental rate. However, higher temperature may even increase the mortality rates.

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Acknowledgement

The author is thankful to the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India, for financial assistance under Major Research Project (No. F. 41-18/2012 [SR]).

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  1. Biocontrol Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Radhe Hari Government Post Graduate College, Kashipur, Uttarakhand, India

    Ahmad Pervez

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  2. Department of Zoology, Section of Nematology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Wasim Ahmad

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Pervez, A. (2018). Termite Biology and Social Behaviour. In: Khan, M., Ahmad, W. (eds) Termites and Sustainable Management. Sustainability in Plant and Crop Protection. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72110-1_6

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