LAUSR

Subterranean termites cause destruction to the wooden structures and eat cellulose based products all over the world, causing economic loss on large scale. This study is conducted to observe the presence of subterranean termites and their species in district Mianwali Punjab Pakistan, from the months March to August, 2017. Manual method was used to collect the termites from herbs, weeds, shrubs, trees, plant debris, wooden logs and buildings of desert different areas of the District Mianwali. The population density of termites was estimated using Simpson’s diversity index equation. For further examination, the preserved (in 80 percent alcohol) termites were carried to Zoology Department, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan. The number of termites was maximum in the months of July and August.Five species of termites Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann),Microtermes mycophagus, Microtermes obesi(Holmgren), Odontotermes guptai and Odontotermes obesi(Ramber), were found in three tehsils of the District Mianwali. The most numerous termite species was C. heimi. The diversity and population density of termites in Tehsil Mianwali is more than Tehsil EsaKhel and Tehsil Piplan. The aim of the present study is to evaluate population diversity of termites in District Mianwali.