**2. Chewing insects' pests of wheat**

#### **2.1 Wheat termite** *Microtermes obesi* **Holm. (Termitidae: Blattodea)**

#### **2.2 Taxonomy**

Wheat termites belong to order (Earlier Isoptera) Blattodea consisting of 9 families exists worldwide. The families of termites were further classified as monogeneric families including Mastotermitidae (holotype *Masotermes darwinensis* in Australia), Indotermitidae (holotype *Indotermes* in India), Stylotermitidae (holotype *stylotermes* in India), Serrtermitidae (holotype *Serritermes serrifer*in Brazil). The family Termitidae comprises 145 Genera and have 4 subfamilies [1, 2] along with near about 3000 described species [3]. Termite fauna of the subcontinent comprised 337 described species and subspecies of 54 genera. Among these, 16 species found to be damaging to Wheat crops in Asia, of which dominant species are *Odentotermes obesus* and *Microtermes obesi* [4]. However, *Microtermes obesi* is known to be the most important pest of wheat. The taxonomic classification showed that *Microtermes obesi* belongs to order Blattodea and family Termitidae.

#### *2.2.1 Distribution*

Termites found all over the world except the Antarctic region. Termites distributed to Tropical, subtropical and temperate regions Worldwide. Termite's diversity is found to be very high in the South American region compared to North America and Europe. Out of 3000 known species of termites are extremely abundant if African region. In Asia the main distribution is restricted to China, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Veitnam totaling 435 species. *Microtermes obesi* commonly known as Wheat termite is a very small species of genus *Microtermesobesi* is restricted to wheat habitats of south and Southeast Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam [5, 6].

#### *2.2.2 Biology*

Termites undergo a developmental process as in case of other insect species known as incomplete metamorphosis with egg, nymph and adult stages [7]. Nymphs are small entities resembling adults, molts as they grow converted into adult stage. A nymph usually undergoes 3 molts [8]. During the summer months after monsoon, fertile reproductive caste of termites leaves its colony for nuptial

#### *Insect Pest Complex of Wheat Crop DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95786*

flight. After successful fertilization the queen increased in size from 9 to 11 cm and laid around 70,000 kidney shaped eggs that will hatch in nearly 30–90 days. Usually in full reproductive colonies 80–90% individuals belong to the workers caste and 10% Soldier caste [9]. After sometimes they are produced into full adults with wings and reproductive or fertile females which can fly for nuptial flight to repeat cycle for new colony [10].
