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.

白蚁是热带生态系统中主要的无脊椎动物分解物，它们通过产生具有不同土壤物理和化学性质的生物结构（土丘，画廊，床单等）而产生其他影响，从而对人类的众多生态系统服务产生积极影响。不幸的是，白蚁的这种积极或“光明”的作用常常被其“阴暗”一面所掩盖，即它们作为威胁农业和建筑业的有害生物的地位。本文评估了我们对白蚁对几个可持续发展目标的影响的认识方面的进展（可持续发展目标1“没有贫困”，2“零饥饿”，3“良好健康”，9“创新”，11“可持续城市”，13“气候行动”和15个“陆地上的生命”）。最后，以印度瓦尔米基神话作为寓言，