Termite species diversity and level of damage on tree in rubber plantation: A case study in West Kalimantan

This study was carried out to investigate the diversity of termite species and level of damage on tree in 25-year-old rubber plantation, Singkawang City, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. The survey was conducted by direct observation of all rubber trees in the rubber plantation and termite's mound (nests). Observations on rubber trees attacked by termites were characterized by the presence of termite's gallery and damage on the bark. Soldier termite were collected from standing rubber tress for identification purposes. The results showed that 16 species of termites were identified from nine genera such as Coptotermes sepangensis, Havilanditermes proatripennis, Pericapritermes speciosus, Coptotermes curvignathus, Coptotermes travians, Procapritermes sp H, Amitermes dentatus, Schedorhinotermes malaccensis, Macrotermes gilvus, Macrotermes sp B (major soldier), Coptotermes havilandi, Macrotermes malaccensis, Macrotermes sp A (major soldier), Prohinotermes flavus, Nasutitermes matangensis, and Schedorhinotermes sarawakensis (major soldier ). A total of 348 rubber trees were inspected for evidence of termite attack. Termites attack on tress was determined by both the presence of gallery and termites on the trunk, but particularly peeling of tree bark, The most dominant termite genera found infesting rubber trees was Coptotermes. Approximately 22.70% (79 trees) of all rubber trees in the plantation were infested by termites consisting of 3.45% (12 trees) at level I damage, 7.47% (26 trees) at level II damage, and 11.78% (41 trees) at level III damage.