The Fungus-Growing Termites: Biology, Damage on Tropical Crops and Specific Management

Abstract

Termites have a significant ecological role in natural, tropical ecosystems. However, some species (around 10%) have potential to become pests in agricultural systems. In particular, some species from the family Macrotermitinae, also known as fungus-growing termites, are described as significant crop pests. Widely present in Africa and Asia but absent from the other continents, these termites are featured by an original digestive symbiosis with a basidiomycete fungus belonging to the genus Termitomyces. This specific fungus allows a fast and efficient digestion of plant material by the host. Consequently, these termites have a great ability to adapt to various food sources, making them a potentially harmful group during the introduction of new crops. Despite the economic impact of these crop pests, there is to date no method for rapid and specific management of these insects. The existing control strategies have weak efficiency and require excessive amounts of chemicals. Generally, these techniques consist of repeated spraying of pesticides on the floor, leading to a more or less massive destruction of nontarget species and a gradual deterioration of the environment. More specific control methods have been tested as alternatives and have clearly shown better efficiency, compared to conventional methods. These are mainly based on baits treated with attractants (pheromones) or on growth inhibitors specifically targeting the fungal symbiont. This chapter provides a review of the biology of fungus-growing termites, focusing on their specific nutrition mode, and presents the most recent methodology used for their management.