• Termite bores into the roots and stem. Due to the bore the plants soon dries.
• Attack may continue to the standing crop also especially during the period of drought.

Identification of the pest

• These are social insects, live in termitaria, in distinct castes, workers, kings and queen.
• Eggs are laid on plants and in the soil.
• 'Worker' are small (4 mm) and have a soft, white body and a brown head.

Management

• Frequent intercultural operations and irrigation before sowing.
• Field sanitation, timely disposal of crop stables and undecomposed plant parts.
• Undecomposed FYM or composed should not be used
• Two-three deep ploughing could also help control this pest.
• Destroy the termite bunds in and around the field and kill the queen and complimentary form.
• Seed treatment with chlorpyriphos @ 4ml/kg of seed.