This Volume comprises 12 chapters in an attempt to bring available information on biology, social behavour and economic importance of termites. Chapters in this book dealing with termites identification provide a review on most updated information of their systematics. Ecologically, termites interact with living and non-living surroundings and deliver a wide range of behaviors. In a separate chapter termites ecology is examined and explored. Termites depend on their gut microbes for digestion of complex polysaccharides of wood into simpler molecules. Information provided on termite gut microbiome and lignocellulose degradation constitutes an important contribution. Termite biology and social behaviour have been addressed comprehensively. Trail pheromones are responsible for the orientation and recruitment of nestmates to the food sources. Once arriving at a potential food source, termites assess its quality using a different set of cues. A separate chapter on trail pheromones, cuesused during foraging and food assessment, with preferences for foraging sites, contributes a wealth of information. Emphasis has been given on reviewing ecological benefits of termites in other chapters. The information with respect to termite species as an edible insect and the overall role it plays in food and nutrition security in Africa is quite informative. A separate chapter dealing with importance of termites and termitaria in mineral exploration constitutes a significant step in addressing the economic importance of this insect group.

Inhalt

1. Termites: An Overview - Md. Aslam Khan and Wasim Ahmad

2. Termites Identification - Nivaarani Arumugam, Nurul Syuhaddah Mohd Kori and Homathevi Rahman

3. Ecology of Termites -Syed Kamran Ahmad, Hassan Ali Dawah and Md. Aslam Khan

4. Termite Gut Microbiome - Navodita Maurice and László Erdei

5. Lignocellulose Degradation by Termites - Paola Talia and Joel Arneodo

6. Termite Biology and Social Behaviour - Ahmad Pervez

7. Trail Pheromones in Termites - Paulo F. Cristaldo

8. Cues Used by Subterranean Termites During Foraging and Food Assessment - Timothy M. Judd****

9. Termite Preferences for Foraging Sites - Ibrahim G Ali, Berhan M. (Shiday) Ahmad, Gary Sheridan and John R. J. French

10. Ecological Impacts of Termites - Md. Aslam Khan, Wasim Ahmad and Bishwajeet Paul

11. Termites as Food in Africa - Forkwa T. Fombong and John N. Kinyuru

12. Economic Importance of Termites and Termitaria in Mineral Exploration - Emmanuel Arhin, Millicent Captain-Esoah and Belinda S. Berdie