Termites :Odentotermes obesus (Termitidae:Isoptera)

 Local name: Geddalu

Damaging systems:

• The termite bores into the roots and stem. Due to the bore the plants soon dries.
• The attack may continue to the standing crop also especially during the period of drought.

Management:

Cultural Control

• Frequent intercultural operations and irrigation before sowing.
• Field sanitation, timely disposal of crop stables and undecomposed plant parts.
• Undecomposed FYM or composed should not be used
• Two-three deep ploughing could also help control this pest.

Mechanical Control

• Destroy the termite bunds in and around the field and kill the queen and complimentary form.

Chemical Control

• Apply chemical insecticides only if the insect population crosses the economic threshold level (ETL).
• Application of Chlorpyriphos or Carbofuran granules @ 4kg/acre into the soil before sowing.

                                    Or

• Seed treatment with chlorpyriphos @ 4ml/kg of seed or Endosulfan @ 7ml/kg of seed.
• Spray insecticides like polytrin C44EC at the rate of 1000 ml/ha.