Termite infestation in oil palm, especially in peat soil, has become a serious problem due to rapid expansion of the industry. Termites were first been reported as an occasional pest on mineral soils. Later, they were documented as a major pest to oil palm on peat (Zulkefli et al., 2000). Many termite species inhabit peat soil. Most of them are wood decomposers but the most destructive species (from family Rhinotermitidae) are usually subterranean feeding on living plant tissues. The common species in oil palm plantations are Coptotermes curvignathus and Macrotermes gilvus (Figures 1a and 1b). The former may destroy the palm while the latter only disturbs the roots (Sudharto et al., 1991). Termite infestation has been reported as early as 12 months afterfield planting (Lim and Silek, 2001). The pest may kill more than 5.3% of the palms in a year (Basriet al., 2003). Early detection is essential to avoid the spread of the pest. Their habits, especially the lack of visible nests in subterranean termites, make them difficult to detect before infestation. After infestation, termite can be detected from their mud trails formed on the palm trunks (Figure 1c). With young palms (less than one year), the infestation may reach the petioles and be fatal to the newly planted palm.

Main Research: Zulkifli Masijan