Economically Important Termites (Isoptera) of the Philippines and Their Control

The Philippines supports 54 known species of termites encompassing 18 genera. Within these genera, only three families are of economic importance and associated with damage to wood products and timber structures, viz., Rhinotermitidae, Termitidae and Kalotermitidae. Six species are considered serious structural pests, viz., Coptotermes vastator, Nasutitermes luzonicus, Macrotermes gilvus, Microcerotermes losbanosensis, Cryptotermes cynocephalus and Cr. dudleyi. These species are widely distributed and cause significant structural damages. Current methods to control these termites range from chemical barrier to termite baits.