PJB-2009-285
PISTACHIO TREE - A NEW HOST FOR TWO SPECIES OF TERMITES (ISOPTERA, ARTHROPODA) FROM IRAN
SULTAN RAVAN1, FARKHANDA MANZOOR2* AND GHAZALA NASIM3
Abstract
Two termite species viz., Anacanthoterms vagans (Hagen), harvester termite and Microceroterms diversus (Silvestri) mound–building termite are reported for the first time from cultivated and wild pistachio trees in the main pistachio growing areas of Iran. Out of 200 plants studied, 47 were infested with termites and the rate of infestation was 23.50%. A. vagans attacked more frequently as compared to M. diversus on all three varieties of Pistacia viz., P. vera L., P. mutica Fisch. & Mey., and P. khinjuk Stocks. Percentage damage of trees was also discussed in relation to different environmental factors like soil temperature, ambient temperature, humidity, rainfall and drought. The density and species richness in termites was positively correlated with soil temperature. An enhancement in termite feeding activity also showed a direct relationship with soil temperature.
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