Abstract:
Termites (Order: Isoptera) constitute an integral component of various ecosystems in
Africa. Termites are also amongst the most difficult insects to study because of their cryptic
behaviour and natural nesting habitat. There are around 2600 species of termites in 280
genera which have been described worldwide and about 39% of the total termite species
are found in Africa. Termite identification is crucial to understanding termite distribution and
their relationship to climate change. Some termite species are well known pests of
agricultural crops, forest trees, wood products and timber-in-service causing considerable
damage in Africa.
This review paper attempts to collate information on African termite distribution and climate
change and highlights some knowledge gaps. Africa is the origin of the termite family of
Macrotermitinae. The paper focuses more on economically important termite species in
Africa. The use of traditional identification methods coupled with molecular techniques in
resolving some of the challenges in termite distribution with particular reference to climate
change in Africa are discussed.
There is scant information on published literature on the impact of climate change on termites with particular reference to termite distribution in Africa. However there is
anectodal evidence to suggest that African termite species will be affected by changes in
the local and global climate.
