Abstract
Bamboo is widely grown and utilized as a construction material around the world, particularly in the tropics. At present, there are about 70 bamboo species and varieties recorded from Hawaii. The objective of our study was to determine the relative resistance of six Hawaii-grown bamboo species to attack by Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann). Four-week laboratory feeding trials were performed as described in standard E1-09 of the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA 2009). Samples of each of the six bamboo species were individually exposed to 200 termites (with 10% soldiers); and termite mortality, wood mass loss, and visual appearance of the samples (on a scale of 0–10) were recorded at the conclusion of the trail. Mean mass losses of the six species as a result of termite feeding ranged from 13–29%; with the two most resistant bamboo species, Gigantocholoa pseudoarundinacea and Bambusa oldhamii, demonstrating significantly greater resistance to termite attack than the most susceptible bamboo species, Guadua anguistifolia, with both termite species. Dendrocalamus brandisii, Dendrocalamus latiflorus, and Bambusa hirose were intermediate in their termite resistance. Overall, we observed very little difference in wood preference between C. formosanus and C. gestroi. Although bamboo is a very promising construction material, and species clearly differ in their susceptibility to termite attack, all six species evaluated in the present study would require additional protection for use under conditions of high termite pressure.
Highlights
Bamboos are one of the most useful natural resources in many parts of the world
In the present study we examined the resistance of six bamboo species grown on Maui, Hawaii to attack by Coptotermes formosanus and C. gestroi
During the first week of observations, C. gestroi showed very light feeding on Bambusa hirose, B. oldhamii, D. latiflorus, and Guadua angustifolia; whereas C. formosanus caused no visible damage to any bamboo wafer
Summary
Bamboos are one of the most useful natural resources in many parts of the world. Due to their various properties they have been named as the most important sustainable and environmentally helpful crop on the planet [1]. There are about 1575 accepted bamboo species plus several other species with incorrect names [2]. They are naturally distributed in all continents except Europe and Antarctica. In many Asian countries, the use of bamboo is declining because the resource is being overused due to urbanization and increasing population [5]. The Americas (North, Central and South), Africa (Tropical, South and Madagascar), Australia
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