Termites (Isoptera) in irrigated and arid landscapes of Central Asia (Uzbekistan)

The biology and distribution of termites were investigated in irrigated and arid land in the Aral Sea Basin in Central Asia. Also, termite-related damage in buildings of this region was monitored (including ancient constructions in the historical town of Khiva, now a UNESCO cultural heritage site). The study area comprised the province of Khorezm (Republic of Uzbekistan), an ancient irrigated oasis along the Amu Darya River, and the surrounding desert. Collections along a transect as well as plot-based studies revealed the occurrence of two species, Anacanthotermes turkestanicus (Jaobson) and Anacanthotermes ahngerianus (Jacobson). The first species (A. turkestanicus) has a wider distribution, covering deserts, irrigated zones and settlements, whereas A. ahngerianus is found only in Bodai-Tugai (a nature reserve for protection of remnants of the native floodplain forest), and in a town (Aktau) near the reserve. The nests of these two species differ in architecture. A. turkestanicus mounds are mainly subterranean, with the exception of flat hills 5-10 cm high, and occur in densities of 6-25 nest ha(-1). A. ahngerianus mounds are epigeous, up to 70 cm in height and up to 2 m in diameter, with densities of 23-30 nests ha(-1). Both species start to swarm in early spring (April-May), and alates are found in the mounds throughout the year, except for a short period from June to August. Two thousand damaged buildings in several towns including Khiva were recorded. A. turkestanicus causes more damage to buildings and constructions than A. ahngerianus. The latter species is recorded for the first time as a pest species causing damage to buildings.