Review of subterranean termites in India: Understanding taxonomy, distribution patterns and ecological functions

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.5446

Keywords:

holistic taxonomic approaches, morphological characters, termite conservation, termite diversity

Abstract

A plethora of extensive studies have been conducted to explore the diversity and distribution of termites in India, revealing a rich and diverse fauna across different regions. The field of termite taxonomy in India has been significantly influenced by historical taxonomic studies dating back to the late 18th century. Recent contributions have further expanded the list of known species. This review aims to examine the taxonomy, ecological roles and distribution patterns of subterranean termites in India, focusing on the integration of morphological and molecular methods to improve species identification. However, challenges remain, such as the lack of reliable morphological characteristics and standardised sampling methods. Therefore, further research and a comprehensive national strategy for termite taxonomy in India are required. Key findings highlight the effectiveness of holistic taxonomy in resolving cryptic species, addressing taxonomic ambiguities and developing conservation strategies. Furthermore, the study emphasises the importance of sustainable pest management practices tailored to India’s diverse ecosystems. Various environmental factors, including climate, habitat preference and seasonal variation, influence the classification and distribution of termites. Holistic taxonomy has emerged as an important tool for conserving the diverse termite fauna in India by providing better insights into evolutionary relationships, which are crucial for termite management and conservation strategies.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Pearce MJ. Termites: Biology and pest management. CAB International; 1997.

Bignell DE, Roisin Y, Lo N. Biology of termites: A modern synthesis. Springer Science and Business Media; 2010.

De Bruyn L, Lobry L, Conacher AJ. The role of termites and ants in soil modification-a review. Soil Res. 1990;28(1):55–93. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR9900055

Ranjith M, Ramya RS, Boopathi T, Kumar P, Prabhakaran N, Raja M, Bajya DR. First report of the fungus Actinomucor elegans Benjamin and Hesseltine belonging to Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) (Isoptera: Termitidae) in India. Crop Prot. 2021;145:105622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2021.105622

Weimin Y, Lee CY, Scheffrahn RH, Aleong JM, Su NY, Bennett GW, Scharf ME. Phylogenetic relationships of Nearctic Reticulitermes species (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) with reference to Reticulitermes arenincola Goellner. Mol Phylogenet Evol. 2004;30(3):815–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2003.10.016

DeSalle R, Egan MG, Siddall M. The unholy trinity: taxonomy, species delimitation and DNA barcoding. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2005;360(1462):1905–16. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2005.1716

Blaxter ML, Floyd R. Molecular taxonomics for biodiversity surveys: Already a reality. Trends Ecol Evol. 2003;18(6):268–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(03)00102-2

Su NY, Ban PM, Scheffrahn RH. Remedial baiting with hexaflumuron in above-ground stations to control structure-infesting populations of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). J Econ Entomol. 1997;90(3):809–17. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/90.3.809

Snyder TE. Catalog of the termites (Isoptera) of the world. Catalog of the Termites (Isoptera) of the World; 1949.

Eggleton P, Williams PH, Gaston KJ. Explaining global termite diversity: productivity or history?. Biodivers Conserv. 1994;3:318–30. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00051904

Sands WA. The identification of worker castes of termite genera from soils of Africa and the Middle East. CAB International; 1998. p. 550.

Inward D, Beccaloni G, Eggleton P. Death of an order: a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study confirms that termites are eusocial cockroaches. Biol Lett. 2007;3(3):331–35. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2007.0110

Kuswanto E, Ahmad I, Dungani R. Threat of subterranean termites attack on the wooden buildings in Asian countries and their control: a review. Indian J Entomol. 2015;77(4):356–62. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974–8172.2015.00071.6

Das KS, Kharthangmaw JM, Choudhury S. Endemic termites of Northeast India. Appl Entomol Zool. 2020;99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13355–020–00784–3

Shanbhag RR, Sundararaj R. Host range, pest status and distribution of wood destroying termites of India. J Trop Asian Entomol. 2013;2(1):12–27.

Roonwal ML. Biology and ecology of oriental termites. No. 5–mound-structure, nest and moisture-content of fungus combs in Odontotermes obesus, with Termites. Rec Zool Surv India. 1960;58(3):131–50. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v58/i3-4/1960/161972

Chhotani O. The fauna of India and the adjacent countries: Isoptera (termites). Zoological Survey of India. 1997;2:800.

Bose G. A new species from India of the termite-genus Procryptotermes Holmgren (Kalotermitidae), with a description of the hitherto unknown imago of P. dhari Roonwal and Chhotani. Bull Zool Surv India. 1979;2(1):53–59.

Bose G. Termite fauna of southern India. Bull Zool Surv India. Calcutta; 1984.

Roonwal ML, Chhotani OB. The fauna of India and the adjacent countries: Isoptera (termites). Zoological Survey of India; 1989;1.

Verma S. On a collection of termites (Insecta: Isoptera) from Kerala (India) with a new species of and keys to the Indian species of Angulitermes Sjöstedt. Rec Zool Surv India. 1984;81(3-4):237–54. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v81/i3-4/1984/161234

Poovoli APA, Rajmohana K. First record of Heterotermes indicola (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) from south India. Insect Environment. 2013;19(3):162–63.

Poovoli APA, Rajmohana K, Bhavana K, Rabeeha P. New records of termite species from Kerala (Isoptera: Termitidae). J Threat Taxa. 2016;8(11):9334–38. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2720.8.11.9334–9338

Anantharaju T, Kaur G, Gajalakshmi S, Abbasi SA. Sampling and identification of termites in Northeastern Puducherry. J Entomol Zool Stud. 2014;2(3):225–30.

Premalatha K. Studies on the bioecology and management of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Insecta) in southern Tamil Nadu [PhD Thesis]. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore; 2007.

Sivasankari B. A survey on different kinds of termites in and around Gandhigram. Int Res J Nat Appl Sci. 2016;3(5):63–71.

Sathyapritha S. Studies on predominant subterranean termite species in garden land ecosystem and its management by food bait-based approach. [Unpublished MSc Thesis]. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore; 2022.

Saha N, Basak J. Insecta: Isoptera. Fauna of Madhya Pradesh (including Chhattisgarh), state. Fauna Series. 2011;15(3):85–104.

Saha N, Mazumdar PC, Basak J, Raha A, Majumder A, Chandra K. Subterranean termite genus Odontotermes (Blattaria: Isoptera: Termitidae) from Chhattisgarh, India with its annotated checklist and revised key. J Threat Taxa. 2016;8(3):8602–10. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2657.8.3.8602–8610

Kakkar N, Gupta SK. Termite (Insecta: Isoptera) fauna in Haryana state, India. J Entomol Res. 2023;47(2):422–25. https://doi.org/10.31991/jer.2023.47.2.007

Parween T, Bhandari P, Raza S. Survey and identification of termite in some selected parts of India. Res J Life Sci Bioinform Pharm Chem Sci. 2016;2:122–35.

Maiti P, Saha N. In: Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of India's Independence Zoological Survey of India State Fauna Series 6: Fauna of Delhi. Fauna of Delhi. 1997;6:207–13.

Rathore NS, Bhattacharya AK. Termite (Insecta: Isoptera) fauna of Gujarat and Rajasthan: present state of knowledge. Rec Zool Surv India Occas Pap. 2004;(223):1–77.

Bose G. Termite fauna of Northeastern India. Rec Zool Surv India Occas Pap. 1999;171:1–148.

Chhotani OB, Das BC. A review of the Indian species of the genus Reticulitermes Holmgren (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Rec Zool Surv India. 1982 Dec 1:315–29. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v80/i3-4/1982/161197

Chhotani B, Bose G. Distribution of termites in relation to the ecology of the Indian region. Zool Anz. 1973;190:231–36.

Bose G. A further contribution to the study of termite fauna of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Rec Zool Surv India. 1979;77(1–4):93–109. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v77/i1-4/1979/161846

Malti P, Chakraborty S. Two new termites of genus Glyptotermes (Kalotermitidae) from the Great Nicobar Island, Indian Ocean. Bull Zool Surv India. 1981;4(1):71–84.

Rajagopal D. 33 economically important termite species in India. Sociobiology. 2002;40(1):33–46. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v40i1.33–46

Paul B, Khan MA, Paul S, Shankarganesh K, Chakravorty S. Termites and Indian agriculture. In: Termites and Sustainable Management: Economic Losses and Management. Springer; 2018. p. 51–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/978–3–319–67583–4_4

Roonwal ML. Termite life and termite control in Tropical South Asia. Zoological Survey of India; 1979.

Shanbhag R, Sundararaj R, Ahmad S. Wood destroying termites (Insecta: Isoptera) of India and their economic importance. Anim Divers Nat Hist Conserv. 2013;2:69–102.

Roonwal ML. Bioecological and economical observations on termites of Peninsular India. Z Angew Entomol. 1978;85(1–4):15–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439–0418.1978.tb01667.x

Pardeshi M, Kumar D, Bhattacharyya A. Termite (Insecta: Isoptera) fauna of some agricultural crops of Vadodara, Gujarat (India). Rec Zool Surv India. 2010;110(1):47–59. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v110/i1/2010/158961

Roonwal ML, Rathore N. Biological observations on three Indian desert termites, Eremotermes paradoxalis, Microcerotermes raja and Angulitermes jodhpurensis (Termitidae). Ann Arid Zone. 1974;13(3):237–58.

Mathew J. Checklist and pest status of termites (Order Isoptera): Kerala. Int J Plant Anim Environ Sci. 2015;5(2):151–58.

Kumar S, Thakur R. A check list of termites (Insecta: Isoptera) from Haryana Agricultural University campus, Hisar, Haryana. J Exp Zool India. 2010;13(2):523–26.

Parihar D. Termite pests of vegetation in Rajasthan and their management. Jodhpur: Central Arid Zone Research Institute; 1981. p. 1–37.

Roonwal ML, Bose G. Taxonomy and zoogeography of the termite fauna of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Indian Ocean. Rec Zool Surv India. 1964;64(3–4):109–70. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v62/i3-4/1964/161635

Sen-Sarma PK, Verma S. A review of the Nasutitermitinae (Isoptera: Termitidae) from India. Orient Insects. 1983;17(1):79–108. https://doi.org/10.1080/00305316.1983.10433848

Varma R, Swaran P. Diversity of termites in a young eucalypt plantation in the tropical forests of Kerala, India. Int J Trop Insect Sci. 2007;27(2):95–101. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758407005682

Krishnamoorthy C, Ramasubbiah K. Termites affecting cultivated crops in Andhra Pradesh and their control: retrospect and prospect. Termites in the Humid Tropics. New Delhi Symposium Proceedings. UNESCO; 1962.

Chhotani OB. The fauna of India and the adjacent countries: Isoptera (Termites), (Family Termitidae). Vol. 2. Zoological Survey of India; 1997.

Bhagat R. Termite-fauna (Isoptera) of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Himalayan region (North-West): An annotated checklist and biodiversity. Indian Forester. 2014;140(6):617–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/00195584.2014.934790

Arif A, Muin M, Larekeng S, Lestari P. Survey and morphological identification of termites (Insecta: Isoptera) in teaching forest of Hasanuddin University, Indonesia. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci. 2019;270(1):012011. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755–1315/270/1/012011

Roonwal ML, Bose G. The harvester termites (Anacanthotermes) of the Indian region: identity, distribution and biology (Isoptera, Hodotermitidae). Zoological Survey of India. 1988:1–177.

Vargo EL, Husseneder C. Biology of subterranean termites: insights from molecular studies of Reticulitermes and Coptotermes. Annu Rev Entomol. 2009;54:379–403. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ento.54.110807.090448

Kirton LG, Lee C. The importance of accurate termite taxonomy in the broader perspective of termite management. In: Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Urban Pests; 2005.

Murthy KS. Molecular identity of subterranean termites. Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol. 2020;8(4):410–16.

Wallman J, Donnellan SC. The utility of mitochondrial DNA sequences for the identification of forensically important blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Southeastern Australia. Forensic Sci Int. 2001;120(1–2):60–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379–0738(01)00426–7

Smith JA, Baker NC. Molecular genetic identification of forensically important flies in the UK. Forensic Sci Int Genet Suppl Ser. 2008;1(1):620–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2008.03.030

Roy V, Demanche C, Livet A, Harry M. Genetic differentiation in the soil-feeding termite Cubitermes sp. affinis subarquatus: occurrence of cryptic species revealed by nuclear and mitochondrial markers. BMC Evol Biol. 2006;6:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471–2148–6–12

Wells JD, Sperling FA. DNA-based identification of forensically important Chrysomyinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Forensic Sci Int. 2001;120(1–2):110–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379–0738(01)00432–2

Eggleton P. Termites and trees: a review of recent advances in termite phylogenetics. Insectes Soc. 2001;48:187–93. https://doi.org/10.1007/s000400100013

Simon C, Frati F, Beckenbach A, Crespi B, Liu H, Flook P. Evolution, weighting and phylogenetic utility of mitochondrial gene sequences and a compilation of conserved polymerase chain reaction primers. Ann Entomol Soc Am. 1994;87(6):651–701. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/87.6.651

Kambhampati S, Kjer K, Thorne B. Phylogenetic relationships among termite families based on DNA sequence of the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Insect Mol Biol. 1996;5(4):229–38. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365–2583.1996.tb00090.x

Janowiecki MA, Szalanski AL. Molecular diagnostic technique for the differentiation of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), from other subterranean termites by multiplex-PCR. Fla Entomol. 2015;98(1):387–88. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.098.0138

Sen-Sarma PK. Ecology and biogeography of the termites of India. In: Mani MS, editor. Ecology and Biogeography in India. The Hague, Netherlands: Dr. W. Junk Publishers; 1974. p. 421–72. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2331-3_14

Imms AD, Hickson SJ. On the structure and biology of Archotermopsis, together with descriptions of new species of intestinal protozoa and general observations on the Isoptera. Philo Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 1920;209(360–371):75–180. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.1920.0004

Cheema P, Das S, Dayal H, Koshi T, Maheshwari K, Nigam S, Ranganathan S. Temperature and humidity in fungus garden of the mound building termite Odontotermes obesus (Rambur): Termites in the humid tropics. Proceedings of the New Delhi Symposium. 1962;145.

Sen-Sarma PK, Mishra S. Seasonal variations of nest population in Microcerotermes beesoni Snyder. Proc Natl Inst Sci India Biol Sci. 1969;35B:361–67.

Buxton PA. Terrestrial insects and the humidity of the environment. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc. 1932;7(4):275–320. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469–185X.1932.tb01048.x

Sattar A, Naeem M, Ul-Haq E. Impact of environmental factors on the population dynamics, density and foraging activities of Odontotermes lokanandi and Microtermes obesi in Islamabad. Springerplus. 2013;2:1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/2193–1801–2–7

Bhanupriya N, Kakkar S, Gupta SK. Species diversity and community composition of termites (Isoptera) in Southern Haryana, India. Ecol Environ Conserv. 2022;28(4):1882–90. https://doi.org/10.53550/EEC.2022.v28i04.008

Smith JL, Rust MK. Temperature preferences of the western subterranean termite, Reticulitermes hesperus Banks. J Arid Environ. 1994;28(4):313–23. https://doi.org/10.1006/jare.1994.1029

Bajya DR, Arya D, Ranjith M, Lakharan MC, Raza SK. Isolation and identification of cellulose demoting symbionts from the gut of subterranean termite Odontotermes obesus. Indian J Agric Sci. 2015;85(7):970–72. https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v85i7.48779

Murthy KS. Diversity and abundance of subterranean termites in South India. Indian J Pure Appl Biosci. 2020;8(5):141–49. https://doi.org/10.18782/2582-2845.8193

Rao AN, Samatha C, Sammaiah C. Biodiversity of termites in Bhadrachalam forest region, Khammam District, Andhra Pradesh. J Biodivers. 2012;3(1):55–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/09766901.2012.11884736

Goyal N, Sharma V, Singla M, Kaur R, Sharma R. State of isopteran biodiversity in the Indian subcontinent. Res J. 2016;2(2):80–82.

Haverty MI, Woodrow RJ, Nelson LJ, Grace JK. Identification of termite species by the hydrocarbons in their feces. J Chem Ecol. 2005;31:2119–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886–005–6908–x

Roonwal ML, Chhotani OB. Revision of termite genus Eurytermes (Termitidae: Amitermitinae). Proc Natl Acad Sci India Sect B Biol Sci. 1966;31:31–81.

Sileshi GW, Nyeko P, Nkunika PO, Sekematte BM, Akinnifesi FK, Ajayi OC. Integrating ethno-ecological and scientific knowledge of termites for sustainable termite management and human welfare in Africa. Ecology and Society. 2009 Jun 1;14(1):48. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-02877-140148

Bignell DE, Eggleton P. Termites in ecosystems. In: Bignell DE, Eggleton P, editors. Termites in ecosystems. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands; 2000. p. 363–87. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3223-9_17

Mahapatro GK, Debajyoti C, Gautam RD. Indian Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) on termites: Eco-friendly approaches to sustainable management. Indian J Trad Know. 2017;16(2):333–40.

Haq SM, Pieroni A, Bussmann RW, Abd-ElGawad AM, El-Ansary HO. Integrating traditional ecological knowledge into habitat restoration: implications for meeting forest restoration challenges. J Ethnobio Ethnomed. 2023;19(1):33. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-023-00606-3

Joshi J, Agarwal I. Integrative taxonomy in the Indian subcontinent: current progress and prospects. J Indian Inst Sci. 2021;101(2):125–49. https://doi.org/10.33774/jae.2021.002

Miralles A, Vences M. New metrics for comparison of taxonomies reveal striking discrepancies among species delimitation methods in Madascincus lizards. PLoS One. 2013;8(7):e68242. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0068242.

Melville J, Smith K, Hobson R, Hunjan S, Shoo L. The role of integrative taxonomy in the conservation management of cryptic species: the taxonomic status of endangered earless dragons (Agamidae: Tympanocryptis) in the grasslands of Queensland, Australia. PLoS One. 2014;9(7):e101847. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0101847

Wiens JJ, Penkrot TA. Delimiting species using DNA and morphological variation and discordant species limits in spiny lizards (Sceloporus). Syst Biol. 2002;51(1):69–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/106351502753475484

Korb J, Kasseney BD, Cakpo YT, Casalla Daza RH, Gbenyedji JNK, Ilboudo ME, et al. Termite taxonomy, challenges and prospects: West Africa, a case example. Insects. 2019;10(1):32. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10010032

Mahapatro G, Kumar S. Review on the incidence and management of coconut termites. Indian J Entomol. 2015;77(2):152–59. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974–8172.2015.00063.8

Hassan S, Khurshid Z, Sabreena BS, Bali BA, Ganai R, Sayyed P, et al. A critical assessment of the congruency between environmental DNA and palaeoecology for the biodiversity monitoring and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(15):9445. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159445

Davies A, Parr C, Eggleton P. A global review of termite sampling methods. Insectes Soc. 2021;68:3–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040–020–00891–8

Nyeko P, Olubayo FM. Participatory assessment of farmer's experiences of termite problems in agroforestry in Tororo District. University of Nairobi; 2005.

Kirton LG, Brown VK. The taxonomic status of pest species of Coptotermes in Southeast Asia: resolving the paradox in the pest status of the termites, Coptotermes gestroi, C. havilandi and C. travians (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology. 2003;42(1):43–63. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v42i1.43–63

Ruelle J. Comments on taxonomic splitters in China. Isoptera Newsletter. 1996;6(1):12–13.

Published

17-03-2025 — Updated on 31-03-2025

Versions

How to Cite

1.
Premalatha K, Devindra G, Murugan M, Shanmugam PS, Harish S, Uma D. Review of subterranean termites in India: Understanding taxonomy, distribution patterns and ecological functions. Plant Sci. Today [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 31 [cited 2025 Apr. 3];12(sp1). Available from: https://horizonepublishing.com/journals/index.php/PST/article/view/5446

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 3 > >>