East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, hosts diverse termite species. Africa has over 1,000 termite species. Many cause damage to crops, trees, and buildings. Others benefit soil by improving aeration and nutrient cycling. Fungus-growing termites from the subfamily Macrotermitinae dominate in savannas and farmlands.
The most abundant and economically important genera are Macrotermes, Odontotermes, Microtermes, and Pseudacanthotermes. These belong to Termitidae family. They often build large mounds or live underground.
Macrotermes bellicosus ranks among the most common. This species constructs tall mounds up to several meters high. Queens reach large sizes. It damages crops like maize, sugarcane, and trees. It attacks roots and stems. Farmers in Uganda and Kenya report heavy losses from this pest. It also serves as food source—alates are harvested.
Macrotermes michaelseni thrives in dry savannas of Kenya and Tanzania. It builds mounds with closed ventilation shafts. This helps regulate temperature and humidity inside. It causes significant agricultural damage. It tunnels into roots of young plants. Lodging occurs in maize fields. It is widespread in semi-arid areas.
Macrotermes subhyalinus appears frequently across East Africa. It builds mounds with open ventilation systems. It is highly pestiferous. It destroys field crops and stored grains. In rangelands of Uganda and Kenya, farmers rate it as abundant. It contributes to yield losses in cereals.
Odontotermes species are very common. They include several unnamed or variable forms. These termites forage openly. They cause lodging in maize. They attack stems below soil. Damage appears in wet seasons. They are abundant in Kenyan farmlands.
Microtermes spp. live mostly underground. They lack large mounds. They attack seedlings and roots. Crops like cotton, groundnuts, and maize suffer. They fill damaged areas with soil. Plants wilt quickly under drought.
Pseudacanthotermes spp. occur in East Africa, especially Kenya. They damage wood and crops. They are less mound-building but still destructive.
Other notable types include Ancistrotermes and Amitermes. These cause sporadic damage. Coptotermes spp. appear in some areas. They are more structural pests in buildings.
Termites damage agriculture severely. In East Africa, losses reach 10-50% in maize fields. Subterranean species attack roots of young plants. They disrupt water and nutrient flow. Plants die or topple. In storage, they eat grains and contaminate them.
Buildings face risks from subterranean termites. They tunnel through soil to wood. Structures weaken over time. Mounds indicate activity nearby.
Positive roles exist. Termites recycle dead wood. They aerate soil. Fungus-growers cultivate Termitomyces fungi. Mounds enrich soil with minerals.
Identification helps management. Look for mounds, shelter tubes, or alates during rains. Soldiers have large heads and mandibles. Workers are pale.
Control uses cultural methods like crop rotation. Biological options include nematodes. Chemical barriers protect structures. For farms, bait systems target colonies.
Farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda face termite challenges seasonally. Early detection limits spread. Professional pest control aids in severe cases.
Understanding common types improves protection. Macrotermes and Odontotermes lead in abundance and impact. Balanced approaches preserve benefits while reducing harm.