The sugarcane termite (Odontotermes assmuthi) is a species of termite of the genus Odontotermes. It is native to India and Sri Lanka. It is recorded from coconut palms and is a pest of sugarcane.[1]

Sugarcane termite
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Infraorder: Isoptera
Family: Termitidae
Genus: Odontotermes
Species:
O. assmuthi
Binomial name
Odontotermes assmuthi
Holmgren, 1913
Synonyms
  • Odontotermes (Odontotermes) assmuthi Holmgren, 1913

Description

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General body color is creamy with darker head. Workers can be seen foraging in both morning and evening.[2]

It is a major pest of sugar cane, where attacked canes can be wilted and then dieback occurs. Semi-circular feeding marks on the leaves are characteristic marks left by the termite. Aspergillus flavus known to have termiticidal activity against O. assmuthi.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "An annotated checklist of termites (Isoptera) from Sri Lanka". National Science Foundation. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Odontotermes assmuthi Holmgren, 1913; Common Name: Sugarcane Termites". ICAR-NBAIR. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Termites in sugarcane". Agropedia. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
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