Mildew fungi found in termites (Reticulitermes lucifugus) and their nests

Abstract

This paper presents the results of observation of mould growth in laboratory colonies of termites. It also attempts to determine the species of mould fungi present in the research laboratory and the main colonies and their entomopathogenic for the termites. The following four species were found in test termite colonies: <em>Trichoderme viride</em>, <em>Mucor</em> <em>himeralis</em>, <em>Rhizopus</em> <em>nigricans</em>, <em>Aspergillus</em> sp., <em>Aspergillus</em> <em>flavus</em>, <em>Alternaria</em> sp., <em>Penicylium</em> <em>verucosum</em> and <em>Fusarium</em> sp. were recognisable in test colonies with domestic and exotic wood. Morphological observations of the fungi were carried out using a microscope with a 40x magnification. The growth of mould fungi in test containers caused death of whole termite colonies.

Diversity of Cellulolytic Microorganisms Associated with the Subterranean Termite Reticulitermes grassei

“…A broad diversity of microorganisms has already been isolated from termites, including genera of fungi such as Acremonium , Alternaria , Aspergillus , Fusarium , Mucor , Neurospora , Penicillium , Rhizopus, and Trichoderma from Reticulitermes spp. [ 17 , 18 ] and some cellulolytic bacteria such as Acinetobacter sp., Bacillus cereus , Chryseobacterium kwangyangense, and Enterobacter aerogenes , from the gut of Coptotermes curvignathus [ 19 ]. Recent studies show the broad diversity of filamentous fungi and yeasts associated with the activity of termites, and discuss the role of these fungal symbionts as lignocellulose decomposers that improve termite nutrition [ 20 ], while their tunnelling activity facilitates the spread of these microorganisms [ 21 ].…”

Isolation and Activity Assay of Secondary Metabolites of Aspergillus niger in-Habiting in Termite’s Queen Nest Macrotermes gilvus Hagen., on Enriched Media

“…13 Ada beberapa jamur yang hidup pada sarang termite, contohnya Tricoderme viride, Mucor himeralis, Rhizopus nigricans, Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria sp, Penicylium verucosum and Fusarium sp pada sarang Reticulitermes lucifugus. 14 Pada penelitian terdahulu telah berhasil dilakukan penapisan 4 jamur pada sarang ratu Macrotermes gilvus Hagen., yaitu A. niger, A. flavus, Mucor dan Cladosporium, yang masing-masingnya memiliki senyawa metabolit sekunder. 15 Pada jamur A. flavus diketahui bahwa senyawa metabolit yang dihasilkan hanya terdapat pada biakan pertama dan kedua sementara untuk biakan selanjutnya tidak lagi ditemukan.…”