Termites (Macrotermes spp. or Odontotermes spp.)
Termites (Macrotermes spp. or Odontotermes spp.)
Termites are insects that feed on dead wood, in mango trees, often attack stressed or wounded trees by building soil tunnels on the trunk and feeding on wood, which can lead to branch dieback or tree death. Termites off white cream coloured insects typically measure around 4–10 mm in length for workers, while soldiers (defenders) can be slightly larger.
Problem Category: Fungal Disease
Symptoms: Termite infestation in mango trees is characterized by mud tubes (sheeting) on the trunk, hollowed-out bark, sudden wilting, and, in severe cases, the tree falling over due to root destruction. They typically target stressed or weakened trees, eating dead wood and moving up through roots to the branches, disrupting nutrient flow.
Comments:
Management: • Cultural Practices: Remove dead wood and debris around the base. Avoid causing wounds to the tree, as these are entry points. • Physical Removal: Destroy mud tunnels on the trunk, forcing termites to move out • To one liter of Bordeaux paste add 5 ml of neem oil and apply it on the stem.
Control: Calotropis leaf 3.5 kg and neem leaf 3 kg each, chop and boil in 10 litre of water till gets to 5 litre filter add 1 liter castor oil; add soapnut powder to make the ingredients mix well. Take 1% solution of this to spray on the trees; repeat after 10-12 days if necessary.
