A new termite species has been discovered in Kerala. In which sanctuary has it been discovered?

a. Malabar

b. Bharatpur

c. Kaziranga

d. None of the above

ANSWER: Malabar

Explanation:

A new species of termite Glyptotermes Chiraharitae has been discovered in Kakkayam in the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary Kerala

The species has been named Chiraharitae after the tropical green forests of the Western Ghats where it has been discovered

Termites are of three types- damp wood, dry wood and subterranean.

Glyptotermes Chiraharitae species are of the damp wood category

They are exclusively wood dwelling and do not require any contact with soil

The flying adults of this species is approximately 10mm long while the soldiers are around 9.5mm long

Its relatives are known to attack mango, sal, banyan, astrocarpus, silver oak, jamun trees, sals

In India, there are 285 species of termites and among them are 61 documented from Kerala