Wheat termites - Distribution ,host Range ,life cycle ,types , damage and control

Distribution ,host Range ,life cycle ,types , damage and control and chemicals that kills termites .

1. Wheat Termites – Distribution ,host Range ,life cycle ,types , damage and control Ankit sharda

2. Scientific classification Scientific name: Microtermes obesi Order : Blattodea Family: Termitidae Phylum : Arthropoda Rank : Species 2

3. Distribution and Host name Distribution -- It is native to India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Vietnam. Host name – Wheat 3

4. Life cycle Like most insects, termites begin their lives as eggs.these pests go through a process of development known as incomplete metamorphosis. In an incomplete metamorphosis, the termite progresses through three different life stages : egg, nymph, and adult. Depending on the colony’s needs, young termites can molt several times over the span of their lives—including into reproductive alates. 4

5. Termite Nymphs Termite nymphs resemble small adults and will typically molt into workers first, often in three stages. Depending on The availability of food, Temperature, The colony’s population, T ermite nymphs can take months to actually develop into adults. While growing, nymphs are unable to feed themselves. 5

6. Mature Termites As termites mature, they will molt into their final form, so to speak. Many termite nymphs will become workers, although some continue to molt further into soldiers or reproductive flyers known as alate nymphs. Pheromones produced by the queen regulate colony growth, and all but a select few termites are prevented by these secretions from becoming fertile queens. These termites only fully mature upon the death of the colony’s main reproductive agents 6

7. Biology Egg: Dull, kidney shaped and hatches in 30-90 days. Nymph: Moult 8-9 times and are full grown in 6-12 months. Adult: Creamy coloured tiny insects resembling ants with dark coloured head. 7

8. What Jobs Do Termites Have in a Colony ? Termites, like many insects, organize themselves into a caste system. These castes can include the following: Worker termites Soldier termites Reproductive termites( including the queen, king, and alates ) 8

9. Worker termites Worker termites are often the busiest, since they’re responsible for finding food, storing it, and maintaining the nest. Because workers are primarily tasked with digesting cellulose (the part of the wood that termites eat), they’re the ones most likely to be found in an infestation. Worker termites can be both male and female, but they’re usually sterile. 9

10. Soldier Termites Soldiers termites exist specifically to defend the termite colony, and in many cases, their powerful jaws are so large that they can’t feed themselves—thus requiring workers to feed them. Many species of termites are actually identified based on the qualities of soldier termites because those features are so exaggerated. Soldiers, like workers, are usually sterile. 10

11. Reproductive termites Reproductive termites include both fertile males and females, called the king and queen. A termite colony’s queen is responsible for egg production and mates with the colony’s king for life. Some species of queen termite, such as subterranean termites, start producing winged alates for reproduction in the spring—these termite swarms emerge from the colony in a phenomenon called nuptial flight. 11

12. Damage Termites damage the crop soon after sowing and sometimes near maturity. They feed on roots, stem of growing plants, even dead tissues of plant feeding on cellulose . The damaged plants dry up completely and are easily pulled out. The plants damaged at later stages give rise to white ears. Infestation is heavy under unirrigated conditions and in the fields where un-decomposed farm yard manure is applied before sowing. 12

13. CHEMICALS THAT KILL TERMITES 1) Chlorpyrifos 20% EC- Chlorpyrifos 20% EC has to be used in 1:19 proportion where in one litre of it is mixed with 19 litres of water. 2) Lindane 20% EC - a litre of Lindane 20% EC is mixed with 19 litres of water. 3) Imidacloprid 30.5% SC - 10.5 ml of this chemical is mixed with 5 litres of water 13

14. 1. Chlorpyrifos 20% EC- 14

15. 3) Imidacloprid 30.5% SC 15

16. THANKS! ANY QUESTIONS? You can find me at: Agrolearningankitsharda ( youtube channel ) [email protected] (email id ) 16