Indian Journal of Entomology

Coconut, a major plantation crop in tropics is constrained with both biotic and abiotic factors. Amongst the biotic constraints, termites are the major soil insect-pests in the orchard that can cause damage up to 20% particularly in nursery. In India, termites are found in almost all the coconut growing tracts, but not considered serious except in the nursery. Coconut is grown in cultivated, and in uncultivated (wild/semi-wild) situations in our country, are ravaged by termites mostly by Odontotermes spp. Other, coconut growing countries are affected by other termites (species of Microtermes, Microcerotermes, Coptotermes, Nasutitermes and Neotermes). Worldwide, termites attacking coconut comprise of three families (Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae) and eleven genera. In India, termites attacking coconut are exclusively subterranean unlike in other regions (mostly Island nations), where arboreal termites are included. In the latter case, role of ants as biocontrol agent is documented. Microbial pesticides as such are not recommended, is being reasoned out. This review deals with distribution, nature of damage and management aspects in the associated context. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, and few indigenous traditional knowledge (ITK) are also highlighted.