Baiting treatment of PLANTED Agathis borneensis trees infested with Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren (Blattodea: Heterotermitidae)

The rubber termite, Coptotermes curvignathus, is known for its ability to kill a wide range of host trees, including Agathis borneensis. Termite surveys in FRIM have shown that more than 50% of planted A. borneensis trees were killed by C. curvignathus. The application of termite baiting to treat the infested A. borneensis trees in FRIM has shown mixed success in colony eradication. Given the high susceptibility of planted A. borneensis trees to the pest termite and the challenges in effective control, planting in termite-prone areas should be avoided, with greater priority placed on in situ protection of this endangered tree species.