Pest of Rubber

Termites form colonies at the base of the trunk. Some species prefer living trees while others feed on dead tissues. Newly-budded plants are very susceptible to termite attack Affected young trees show deficiency symptoms. In large trees, the trunk may be honeycombed with disintegrating tissues, without any visible signs of injury, that may easily fall when strong winds blow. Termites are hard to control when the colonies are fully developed.

Macrotermes sp. Coptotermes curvignathus

Control Measure Practice good sanitation in plantation Destroy early colonies of termites Regularly inspect termite tunnels and destroy them

Leucopholis irrorata Root-feeding larvae Eggs are laid singly or in clusters in the soil. The larvae lives entirely in the soil. They are voracious feeders and may consume the roots of rubber (seedlings stage) and cover crops. Affected young trees have yellow leaves and dying shoots, and in severe cases, the trees may die. Control: Use polybags in raising rubber seedlings to prevent larvae attack, biocontrol