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DIVERSITY OF MOUND BUILDING TERMITES IN AND AROUND OF SHIMOGA, MID- WESTERN GHATS, INDIA.

    2 Author(s):  PRAKASH GERIYOL, M.S. PRASHANTH

Vol -  7, Issue- 1 ,         Page(s) : 80 - 91  (2020 ) DOI : https://doi.org/10.32804/IRJMSI

Abstract

Three mound building termites, viz. Odontotermes wallonensis, Odontotermes obesus and Odontotermes redemanni are identified from in and around area of Shimoga district. The shape of the mound of Odontotermes obesus was conical, the structure consisting with one or more hollow conical turrets erected on the surface of the ground. Royal chamber in the young mound nest was usually found at the base of the mound just beneath the fungus garden. In the established nests the colour of the fungus garden was blackish-brown situated around the royal chamber in which the masses of eggs were observed. The royal chamber was comparatively big, thick having exit and entrance holes of 2 to 5 mm in diameters and its length and breadth were ranging from 11.8 cm and 9.3 cm respectively. The length and weight of the queen and king was 5.4 cm, 7.1 gm and 0.6 cm, 180 mg respectively. The structure of mound of Odontotermes wallonensis was dome shaped with one or two turrets. The wall of the turret was thin and smooth. The shape of the turrets was conical and turrets were more in number and were scattered on the ground were having numerous vaults, the number also varies. In the established mounds the fungus garden was present in the vaults. The shape of the fungus garden were dome shaped and its colour was blackish-brown. The locations of the royal chamber in the nests were eccentric. The length and breadth of the royal chamber was 22.7 and 17.6 cm respectively. The length and weight of the queen and king is 8.2 cm, 8 gm and 1.4 cm, 200 mg respectively. The mounds of Odontotermes redemanni were dome shaped low in height without any buttresses. The outer mound wall is thick and solid and devoid of openings. The fungus garden was situated in separate chamber which serves as egg depository. A well developed royal chamber was situated below the ground level, measuring 24.5 cm in length and 18 cm in breadth. Numerous pinholes of 1-2 cm in diameter connected the royal chamber to outside through which only workers and soldiers could enter. The length of the queen was 8 cm, weight was 6.94 gm whereas king measures 1.2 cm and weight was 130 mg respectively.

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