Termites, these social insects that live underground or hide in wood structures, feed on wood fibers and exhibit an amazing ability to break down food. However, it is this ability that turns out to be a very destructive force in nature, especially in the plant world. The purpose of this paper is to explore in depth how termites inflict a fatal blow on plants, and introduce some effective control strategies.
The Biological Mystery Of Termites
Termites, also known as house termites, are social groups of insects that rely on wood as their source of life. In underground or timber structures, termites construct nests and passages carefully, providing space for the whole colony to live and move. They eat a wide range of foods, especially those rich in cellulose and lignin. This feeding habit not only makes them an invisible threat to building structures, but also a huge enemy of the plant world.
Termites Wreak Havoc On Plants
1. Root destroyer
Termites attack plants first from the root system. They ruthlessly erode the root system of the plant, gnawing away at the taproot, or even depriving it completely. This behavior causes the plant to be unable to effectively absorb water and nutrients, and eventually wither and die. The destruction of termites is particularly devastating in green Spaces, where many valuable trees and shrubs are stunted or even withered due to damaged roots.
2. Phloem and cambium destroyer
Termites not only harm the root system, but also invade the phloem and cambium of the plant. Phloem is the main artery of organic matter transport in plants. Once termites cause ring erosion, it is like stripping the skin of life from the trunk, causing the root system to collapse due to lack of organic matter supply. The cambium is the source of plant cell division and trunk thickening, and termite invasion can block this life process.
3. Destroyers of xylem and wood fibers
Xylem is the transport channel of water and inorganic salts in plants, and the destruction of termites will lead to the obstruction of the transport of these life substances, thus affecting the photosynthesis and growth rate of plants. In addition, termites destroy wood and phloem fibers, weakening tree trunks and making them vulnerable to severe weather.
Examples Of Termite Destruction In Different Ecosystems
1. The looters of the farmland
In farmland, termites have caused serious damage to corn, wheat, rice, sugarcane, cassava and other food crops, as well as cash crops such as peanuts, mulberry, tea, tuckahoe and gastrodia. They eat the roots and stems of crops, resulting in disrupted nutrient supply, stunted growth, and even death. Farmers have to resort to measures such as drenching and watering to repel the termites, or harvest early to reduce losses.
2. The destroyer in the garden
The destruction of termites is more rampant in garden green Spaces. They not only erode the roots and stems of trees and shrubs, but also damage the timber structures of landscape facilities such as promenades, pavilions and Bridges, causing the structures to become fragile and even lead to collapse accidents, endangering the lives of tourists. In addition, the mass reproduction and activities of termites also destroyed the ecological balance of the garden, threatened the living environment of other insects and animals, and led to the break of the ecological chain.
3. A menace in the forest
In the forest, the harm of termites cannot be ignored. They not only damage the growth of seedlings, but also lead to the destruction of large areas of forest. Termites nest and lay eggs in tree trunks, branches and caves, consume a lot of plant nutrients, destroy the original structure of trees, weaken their growth, and seriously affect the growth and formation of trees.
Effective Strategies For Termite Control
Faced with the threat of termites, we need to take a series of efficient control measures to protect the growth of plants and ecological balance.
1. Soil pretreatment
In a nursery, the soil can be pretreated with an agent to a depth equal to the depth of the seedling roots. This method can effectively prevent the invasion of termites and provide solid protection for the growth of seedlings.
2. Trap and kill
When controlling trees in gardens and urban roadways, nest digging should be avoided to avoid damaging the roots and structure of the trees. Bait kits or bait tubes can be used to lure termites into and take measures to eliminate them. In addition, in areas where termites are seriously harmed, termites can also be lured out and destroyed by embedding traps, trapping packages, and other methods.
3. Spraying method
The prepared liquid agent is sprayed directly onto the termite active area. However, it should be noted that spraying a large area may cause pollution to the environment, so this method is usually used for termite control of seedlings and sheets of low-growing plants, and is not recommended for termite control of garden trees.
4. Powder poisoning
The termites that invade the trees are sprayed directly with the insecticide powder. This method needs to be sprayed at multiple points, so that termites in the process of cleaning each other, transmitting information, licking each other and dying of chronic poisoning, so as to achieve the purpose of the whole nest annihilation.
5. Monitoring control device kill method
Monitoring and control devices were used to monitor and control termites. These installations are divided into two types: above ground and underground. The above-ground type is installed in the part of trunk termite activity harm; The underground type is installed in the soil around the tree. These devices can monitor termite activity in real time and take corresponding measures to kill them.
6. Biological control
Protect the living environment of termites’ natural enemies such as ants, toads, frogs, spiders, centipedes and birds. These natural enemies have a good control effect on the population of termites under natural conditions, and can inhibit the harm of termites to a certain extent.
Conclusion
As a very destructive insect, termites pose a serious threat to plant growth and ecological balance. However, by adopting a series of efficient control measures, we can effectively protect plants from termites and maintain ecological balance and sustainable development. In the face of the threat of termites, we should pay attention to environmental protection and the protection and utilization of natural enemies, minimize the use of chemical drugs, in order to achieve a harmonious symbiosis between man and nature.
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