TRG

Termite Research Group

WELCOME !

About Termite Research Group

Termite Research Group (TRG) is a research group under the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) of Hasanuddin University. Studies in this research group focus on termites as ecoengineers, termite biodiversity and biology, termite associations with microorganisms and other insects, and termite management as urban pests. Termites are included in the Isoptera infraorder of the insect class. Ecologically, Sulawesi Island, which is covered by the Wallacea area, has unique flora and fauna that have been known and attracted the attention of researchers, both from institutions/agencies at the national and international levels. Various habitats or ecosystems can be found in the Sulawesi region, known to contain types of insects, especially termites, that have not been revealed and have endemic potential, such as forests, mangroves, waters, caves, and habitats or niches that are untouched by humans. Termite biodiversity data reaches 3,173 (Krishna et al., 2013) among the world’s insect biodiversity, which has been found to have more than 1,000,000 species (Stork, 2018). However, it is regrettable that data/information and reports related to insect biodiversity, especially termites in the Wallacea region, are still challenging to obtain. On the other hand, various environmental issues such as ecosystem damage, illegal logging, and climate change are known to influence the existence of organisms in the biosphere. Therefore, information on species diversity must be revealed because insects have many benefits for humans and ecosystems that must be disseminated to the community. TRG is here to contribute to conducting biodiversity and biology studies, collecting specimens, and providing databases that other researchers can access, specifically introducing termites’ potential in the Wallacea region

Research Sub-theme

  1. Biodiversity and Conservation
  2. Ecology and Behaviour
  3. Termite Interaction
  4. Urban Pest Management