Jouquet Pascal auteur aut IRD Traoré S. auteur aut IRD Harit A. auteur aut IRD Choosai C. auteur aut IRD Cheik Souguey auteur aut IRD Bottinelli Nicolas auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Termites are amongst the main macroinvertebrate decomposers in tropical ecosystems and they exert additional impacts through the creation of biostructures (mounds, galleries, sheetings, etc.) with different soil physical and chemical properties, thereby impacting positively on numerous ecosystem services for humankind. Unfortunately, this positive or 'bright' role of termites is often overshadowed by their 'dark' side, that is, their status as pests threatening agriculture and constructions. This article assesses advances in our knowledge of the impact of termites on several sustainable development goals (SDGs 1 'no poverty', 2 'zero hunger', 3 'good health', 9 'innovation', 11 'sustainable cities', 13 'climate action' and 15 'life on land'). Finally, using the Indian myth of Valmiki as a parable, we illustrate that a reconciliation between the termite's dark and bright sides is needed if we want to reduce our dramatic impact on biodiversity and more generally achieve SDGs. specialized AFRIQUE SUBSAHARIENNE 074 095 Dangles Olivier ed. edt IRD Crespo-Pérez V. ed. edt IRD 40 71-76 2020 2214-5745 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010079723 2214-5745 [F B010080126] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010079723 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2020/10/010079723.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2020-11-12 2021-01-18 fdi:010079723 fre