Indian Journal of Entomology

Certainly study of subterranean termites as structural and building pests in tropical conditions demands special attention especially in countries of Asia. Among the 3107 species of termites known 80 species are serious pests. Subterranean termites have long been a serious pest of wooden construction and are important in most of the tropical and subtropical regions. These termite groups build shelter tubes and nest in the soil or on the sides of trees or building constructions and relies principally on soil for moisture. An evaluation of history of research indicates that lot of information is available in the literature from the Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, China, Hong Kong. India, Philippines, Taiwan and Iran. Coptotermes spp. are the most important of all the species amounting to 70% of all the known ones. It has been found that these have a definite hierararchy of feeding behaviour. Termite control is a realistic problem not only for human life but also for conservation of natural environment. All countries especially Asian countries are now seeking safer chemicals or the more effective methods for termite control.