1. Several kinds of insects feed on roots and pods. The root feeders are always dangerous to a crop because plants suddenly die, especially during periods of drought. In the case of pod borers the damage is usually detected when the crop is harvested. It is not always easy to identify which insect caused the damage, especially when the pods have rotted. It is therefore difficult to make recommendations for the control of pod borers, in particular, because they are sporadic and extremely difficult to detect before the damage is done. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 2: Termites Course on Insect Pests of Groundnut Module V: Root and Pod Feeders

2. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 2: Termites or White Ants Course on Insect Pests of Groundnut Module V: Root and Pod Feeders Termites are widely distributed in all groundnut growing areas in India. They favor red and sandy soils, and are less of a problem in post- rice groundnut crops and in clayey soils.

3. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 2: Termites or White Ants Course on Insect Pests of Groundnut Module V: Root and Pod Feeders Termites live in colonies and these colonies can extend several feet underground. Termites are white translucent ant like insects (Fig.).

4. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 2: Termites or White Ants Course on Insect Pests of Groundnut Module V: Root and Pod Feeders Crop Damage Termites can cause damage to groundnut plants in several ways: i.They enter the root system and burrow inside the root and stem; this usually kills the plant. Root damage by termites

5. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 2: Termites or White Ants Course on Insect Pests of Groundnut Module V: Root and Pod Feeders Crop Damage Termites can cause damage to groundnut plants in several ways: ii.They bore holes in the pods and damage the seed. Pod damage by termites

6. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 2: Termites or White Ants Course on Insect Pests of Groundnut Module V: Root and Pod Feeders Crop Damage Termites can cause damage to groundnut plants in several ways: iii.They remove the soft corky tissue from between the veins of the pods (scarified). iv.They do not usually damage the seed. But scarified pods are more susceptible to infestation by Aspergillus fungus, which produces health hazard aflatoxins. Pods scarified by termites

7. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 2: Termites or White Ants Course on Insect Pests of Groundnut Module V: Root and Pod Feeders Management Destroy termite nests by clean cultivation. Seed treatment with Chlorpyriphos. Drenching of termite nests with Chlorpyriphos solution. Application of Carbofuran or Chlorpyriphos to the soil using 1 kg a.i./ha at planting time can reduce termite incidence.

8. With this, the Lesson 2 on Termites in groundnut concludes. Next, Lesson 3 is about Jewel Beetle in groundnut crop. Select Lesson 3 in Module V contents Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Insect Pests of Groundnut Module V: Root and Pod Feeders