Rubber termite

Coptotermes curvignathus belongs to the order Blattodea and the family Rhinotermitidae. Known primarily as the rubber termite, it is recognized as a severe economic pest in Southeast Asia. These insects are social organisms living in highly structured subterranean colonies that can extend over large areas, making them difficult to eradicate once established.

The pest targets a wide range of woody plants, with rubber trees, oil palms, and coconut palms being the most vulnerable. They are capable of infesting healthy trees, often entering through the root system or bark fissures. Once inside, they move upwards, feeding on the inner bark and heartwood, eventually leaving the tree hollow and structurally unstable.

The biology of this species is centered around a massive colony structure. The queen serves as the reproductive heart, while workers perform the destructive feeding and tunnel construction. They utilize a network of underground galleries and protective mud tubes to move across surfaces, which keeps them concealed and protected from light and desiccation.

Economic damage is substantial due to the loss of mature trees. In rubber plantations, these termites destroy the cambium, significantly reducing latex yield before killing the tree entirely. Early detection is notoriously difficult because the external appearance of the tree may remain unchanged until the damage is already critical and structural failure occurs.

Effective management strategies include:

• Baiting systems with chitin synthesis inhibitors that kill the colony.
• Regular field scouting to identify mud tunnels and entry points.
• Soil treatment with systemic termiticides around the root zone.
• Strategic planting and maintenance to reduce plant stress and entry points for foragers.