Termite: Odontotermes obesus

Pest population occurs round the year but population maximum during June – Sep coinciding with the onset of monsoon.

Symptoms of Damage:

• Termites are likely to cause damage to transplanted seedlings particularly in the earlier stage. (wilting of seedlings)
  
• Base of trunks plastered with runways made of soil and fibers

Soil on trunk	Damaged bark	Infected tree

Identification of the Pest:

• Adults: Cream coloured, tiny insects resembling ants with dark coloured head

Management:

Cultural Method:

• Locate termite mounds in or near the coconut nursery or garden and destroy.
  
• Adoption of field sanitation by disposal of organic matter in nursery soil and covering germinating nuts with a layer of river sand.

Chemical Method:

• Spray Copper Sulphate 1% or Cashew Nut Shell oil 80% or spray Chlorpyriphos @ 3ml/lit of water, Neem Oil 5% or NSKE 20% to preserve plaited coconut leaves from the termite attack.
  
• Apply calcium at the base of the trunk for control of termite attack.
  
• Swabbing with neem oil 5% once on the base and upto 2 m height of the trunk for effective control.