Abstract

Termites are one of the major pests of sugarcane in India considered probably next in importance to moth borers. Two species of termites have so far been recorded on sugarcane in South India, viz. Odontoterms obesus, R. and Eutermes heimi, W. The former attacks the setts below the ground while the latter is more a leaf cater, but the great bulk of damage to the crop is done by Odontotermes obesus, R. which entirely eats away the setts underground and makes them hollow with the result that the germinating buds are completely destroyed in many cases. This occurs especially in garden land areas (semi-dry areas) where irrigation facilities are not adequate. Serious and wholesale loss of germinating seedlings are often reported from newly planted araas. Being subterraneon and invisible habitants, the control of termites is a serious problem and several experiments have been and are being conducted in India and elsewhere to tackle this pest. During the past two years some work has been done towards the control of this pest and the present paper gives a review of the work on the subject together with an account of the experiments conducted by the Sugarcane Insect Pests Scheme, Coimbatore, under the auspices of the Indian Central Sugarcane Committee.

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