Common Coptotermes spp. and other Termites Associated with Oil Palm in Riau, Sumatra

There are many species of termites associated with oil palm planted on peat soil. Most of them are beneficial to the ecosystem and harmless to the crop. Four subterranean termite species of Coptotermes are commonly found in oil palm planted on peat soil, viz. Coptotermes curvignathus, C. sepangensis, C. travians and C. kalshoveni. The only species infesting living palm is C. curvignathus. The other genera of termites such as Schedorhinotermes, Parrhinotermes and Nasutitermes, in which are some very common species in oil palm plantations, are harmless to the palm. Accurate identification of termite species to distinguish between the pest and non-pest species should be emphasised to prevent wrong application of pesticide against beneficial termites in the field. This paper provides a pictorial guide for the identification of common termite species in oil palm planted on peat soil. Keywords: Subterranean termites, C. sepangensis, C. curvignathus, C. travians, C. kalshoveni.