Termites are one of the most destructive insect pests in the world, inhabiting 70% of world land area, mostly in tropical and subtropical areas. The threat of termites in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, is greater than in other parts of the world.
Social insects with highly evolved system of communication, Termites have a unique behavioral system for communication, coordination and mutual defense. They can communicate through the release of chemicals at different concentrations, called pheromones . They also do “antennae touching”, called allogrooming . This enables the transmission of subtle messages, as well as identifies intruders. They practice cooperative care , where healthy termites go out of their way to take care and interact with the sick and distressed termites. They also bury the carcass of dead termites, or sometimes cannibalize them. Worker termites also feed the other termites in the colony through trophallaxis, or the exchange of secretions between termites.
There are 54 identified termite species in the Philippines. Among the 54, only 6 are considered pests: Cryptotermes cyanocephalus, C. Dudleyi, Coptotermes vastator, Macrotermes Gilvus, Microcerotermes Los Banosensis, Nasutitermes Luzonicus.
Social insects with highly evolved system of communication, Termites have a unique behavioral system for communication, coordination and mutual defense. They can communicate through the release of chemicals at different concentrations, called pheromones . They also do “antennae touching”, called allogrooming . This enables the transmission of subtle messages, as well as identifies intruders. They practice cooperative care , where healthy termites go out of their way to take care and interact with the sick and distressed termites. They also bury the carcass of dead termites, or sometimes cannibalize them. Worker termites also feed the other termites in the colony through trophallaxis, or the exchange of secretions between termites.
There are 54 identified termite species in the Philippines. Among the 54, only 6 are considered pests: Cryptotermes cyanocephalus, C. Dudleyi, Coptotermes vastator, Macrotermes Gilvus, Microcerotermes Los Banosensis, Nasutitermes Luzonicus.
