Tea termite

Neotermes greeni, widely known as the tea termite, belongs to the family Kalotermitidae within the order Blattodea. It is a highly destructive pest, specifically targeting tea bushes in tropical regions, where it poses a persistent threat to commercial cultivation and economic yields.

The primary host for this species is the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). The termites primarily attack the main stems and older branches of the tea bushes. By excavating galleries deep within the woody tissue, they disrupt the transport of nutrients and water, severely weakening the structural integrity of the plant.

The biology of Neotermes greeni is characterized by its life as a drywood termite. Unlike subterranean species, they do not require contact with the soil, maintaining their entire life cycle within the host plant's woody tissue. This internal lifestyle makes early detection extremely difficult and poses significant challenges for traditional pest control.

The impact of this pest is primarily manifested in the slow decline of the plant, branch breakage, and a drastic reduction in leaf production. Infested bushes often suffer from secondary fungal infections, which exploit the weakened structural state caused by termite galleries, leading to the gradual degradation of the plantation.

Management strategies focus on the removal of infested branches through intensive pruning and the immediate destruction of affected plant material. Agronomic efforts include:

• Regular inspections to detect signs of infestation early.
• Maintaining optimal plantation health through proper fertilization and irrigation.
• Selective use of entomopathogenic fungi as a biological control agent.
• Strategic chemical application only where targeted intervention is necessary to prevent colony spread.