Laboratory culturing of some Indian wood destroying termites

Mass culturing of wood inhabiting termites, such as Bifiditermes beesoni (Gardner), Neotetmes bosei Snyder (Kalotermitidae) and Stylotermes spp. (Stylotermitidae) is easier as compared to subterranean species. The attacked portions with live colonies and sufficient portion of sound wood were cut, and kept in iron or cement containers under controlled laboratory conditions (28±1°C, 80–90% R.H.). The subterranean species, Coptotermes heimi (Wasm.), Heterotermes indicola (Wasm.) (Rhinotermitidae) were cultured by putting the infested logs, stem portions, etc. into the mud plastered cement containers along with a timber disc and sufficient amount. of perishable timber/wood pieces and free water. Glass troughs containing fresh water were kept in corners of the container. Wood sticks (30 × 5 × 5 cm) were placed in each trough with one end submerged in water and the other on infested material or on the pine disc to facilitate drinking by the termites. Laboratory culturing of Heterotermes indicola could also be undertaken through substitute reproductives in small glass troughs under controlled conditions in culture room and multiplying it by developing daughter colonies. Colonies of carton nest building termite Microcerotemes spp. were maintained in earthen pots filled with moist sterilized mound soil along with 2–3 sticks of perishable wood as food.