The present taxonomic study on the termites of Kerala, reports six species and one genus for the first time from the state.  They are Odontotermes yadevi Thakur, Microtermes unicolor Snyder Grallatotermes niger Chatterjee and Thapa, Nasutitermes matangensis matangensis (Haviland), Dicuspiditermes gravelyi (Silvestri) and Microcerotermes minor Holmgren.  The Genus Grallatotermes Holmgren is documented for the first time from Kerala.  O. yadevi recovered from firewood is hereby added to the list of wood destroying termites of India.

Speculitermes chadaensis Chatterjee & Thapa, 1964, a termite species under Termitidae family is reported for the first time from the Western Ghats.  A distribution map of the species is also provided.

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In tropical ecosystems, termites as organic decomposers, play a key role in modifying the biotic and abiotic environment. The present study aimed to investigate how the termite diversity and assemblages differed among habitats. Three sites in North Wayanad, Kerala, India,-a teak plantation, a coffee plantation and a semi-evergreen forest, that were structurally different and with varying land use histories-were chosen for this study. Belt transect method was used to sample the termites. The study recorded a total of 10 species in 7 genera belonging to 4 subfamilies under one family. Termite assemblages and feeding group structure differed significantly among habitats. Two functional groups were recorded-Type II (fungus growing wood feeders/litter feeders, micro epiphytes) and Type III (organic rich soil feeders/ humus feeders). Fungus growing wood/litter feeders were dominant in plantations whereas organic rich soil/humus feeders were dominant in forest region. Plantations seem to host more, species like Odontotermes obesus Rambur, Odontotermes anamallensis Holmgren and Holmgren and Odontotermes yadevi Thakur, the species being good colonizers, favoured by disturbance and also those with the potential of becoming pests. The species diversity, richness, evenness as well as beta diversity were computed for the three habitats. Assemblages of species from the teak and coffee plantations yielded the highest similarity index (42%). Overall, the termite assemblages and structural attributes of coffee & teak plantations and semi-evergreen forest advocated termites as good biological indicators of habitat quality.

Glyptotermes chiraharitae n. sp., a new dampwood termite (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) is described from Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary, an evergreen forest of South India, based on the characters of imagoes, soldiers and pseudoworkers. The species is unique in the genus due to the following combination of characters seen in their soldiers: frons inclined sharply and only with a weak depression and a bilobed impression medially, frontal protuberances weak, epicranial suture or Y-suture indistinct and antennae with 12 segments. 95% of Glyptotermes Froggatt, 1897, of the Oriental Region are endemic. A dichotomous key to the soldiers of the Glyptotermes spp. from India is also provided here. RéSuméGlyptotermes chiraharitae n. sp., une nouvelle espèce de termite de bois humides (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) d'Inde. Glyptotermes chiraharitae n. sp. (isoptera: Kalotermitidae), un nouveau termite vivant dans du bois humide, est décrit du Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary, Inde méridionale, sur la base des caractères des imagos, des soldats et des pseudergates. L'espèce se distingue dans le genre par la combinaison suivante des caractères chez les soldats : front fortement incliné et avec seulement une faible dépression et une impression médiane bilobée, protubérance frontale peu développée, suture épicraniale ou suture en Y indistincte, et antennes à 12 articles. 95 % des Glyptotermes Froggatt, 1897 de la région orientale sont endémiques. Une clé d'identification des soldats des espèces de Glyptotermes d'Inde est proposée.