Skip to main content
Entomology 2021 Main banner
Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.
Presentation Icons
In-Person
In-Person
Livestream
Livestream
On-Demand
On-Demand
Student Competition
Student Competition
Video Chat
Video Chat
Ticketed Event
Ticketed Event
Poster Icons
Student Competition
Student Competition
In-Person
In-Person
Poster
Poster
On-Demand
On-Demand
Video ViewAttendees 1

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

10-Minute Paper

P-IE: Ecology On-Demand Presentations

Termite distribution and diversity in different land uses in Mozambique: What implications for termite management?

On-Demand
On-Demand

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Romana Maria da Trindade Mario Rombe Bandeira

    Lecturer in Forest Protection
    Eduardo Mondlane University
    Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique

    • Co-Author(s)

  • ON

    Osório Nhiuane, Jr.

    Researcher
    Centre for Agriculture and Natural Resources Management Stud
    Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique

  • SC

    Sérgio Cumbula

    MSc student of Biodiversity and Conservation Management programme
    Eduardo Mondlane University
    Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique

  • BT

    Belincia Tetine

    BSc student in Forestry
    Eduardo Mondlane University
    Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique

  • IS

    Ivete Sidumo

    MSc student, Forestry Sciences programme
    Eduardo Mondlane University
    Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique

  • CB

    Cesaltina Buene

    BSc student in Forestry
    Eduardo Mondlane University
    Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique

  • MM

    Marcela Mondlane

    BSc student in Forestry
    Eduardo Mondlane University
    Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique

  • CC

    Chirinzane-Manhiça Cacilda

    Entomologist Researcher
    Mozambique Agricultural Research Institute
    Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique

Termites play an important ecological role in ecosystems, mainly as decomposers. However, some species under certain conditions may become pests, causing damage in forests and cultivated fields. Termites are associated with native forests, forest plantations and croplands. Despite this, information regarding taxonomy, management, economic and ecological termite impacts in these land uses is not widely known. This study aimed to assess termite’s distribution, incidence, damage, diversity and affinity in different land use categories. In circular 0,28ha plots in native vegetation and croplands and  1ha rectangular plots in forest plantations, termites capture was performed, tree infestation assessed by visual inspection. Plot allocation was random-stratified by land use category. Twenty one termite species, from 7 genera and 2 families (Termitidae and Rhinotermitidae) were found. Of these species, 14, 13, 10 and 9 were respectively associated with miombo woodlands, fallow, cultivated areas and forest plantations, suggesting that species richness decreases with increasing habitat disturbance. Termite incidence is highest in plantation forests, followed by native woodlands, fallow and croplands. In forests, fallow areas and croplands, damage severity was low, while in forest plantations it ranged from low to moderate. These results suggest that in miombo woodlands, fallow areas and croplands, termite incidence does not necessarily imply economic damage. Economic losses in eucalypts plantations reach up to US$ 542,13/ha, reducing with increased plantation age, reaching 1.77 m3/ha in plantations two years old or less, and 0.73 m3/ha in 6-year age plantations. Efforts to combat termites are needed at early plantation stages.