Trinervitermes biformis

Trinervitermes biformis belongs to the order Isoptera, family Termitidae. It is a well-known termite species prevalent in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly across the Indian subcontinent. These termites maintain a hidden lifestyle, constructing intricate underground nesting galleries and extensive tunnel networks to facilitate foraging across agricultural fields.

This pest poses a significant threat to a wide variety of crops. Key targets include cereal crops such as wheat, barley, sorghum, and millet, as well as cash crops like cotton and groundnut. The termites can damage both young seedlings and mature plants, leading to stunted growth, reduced yields, or total crop failure depending on the intensity of the infestation.

The biology of Trinervitermes biformis is highly dependent on soil conditions and moisture levels. As cellulose feeders, they consume roots, stalks, and organic debris. Their social structure is divided into castes: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Workers are responsible for the damage, as they create underground channels that lead them directly to the root zones of the crops.

Symptoms of infestation include the wilting and yellowing of plants, which occurs because the roots have been severed by termite feeding. Heavily infested plants can be easily pulled out of the soil. The pest's damage becomes more acute during drought conditions when natural forage dries up, forcing the colony to rely on living plant tissue. Mud tubes or crusts on the stems are typical signs of their presence.

Effective management strategies include:

• Deep tillage to disrupt subterranean tunnels and destroy nest mounds.
• Application of well-decomposed organic manure to avoid attracting termites with fermenting material.
• Seed treatment with systemic insecticides to provide an early-stage protective barrier.
• Use of soil-applied insecticides in fields with a history of severe termite pressure.
• Removal of crop residues and dry organic matter from the field to reduce food sources.