Wood consumption rates of forest species by subterranean termites (Isoptera) under field conditions

Regina Célia Gonçalves Peralta,Acácio Geraldo Carvalho,Eurípedes Barsanulfo Menezes,Elen De Lima Aguiar-Menezes

doi:10.1590/s0100-67622004000200015

Regina Célia Gonçalves Peralta, Acácio Geraldo Carvalho + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-67622004000200015

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Abstract

Termites are well -known for their capacity to damage and destroy wood and wood products of all kinds in the tropics and subtropics. A field test was undertaken to evaluate variations in wood consumption of Pinus sp. and three species of Eucalyptus by subterranean termites. The test consisted of wooden stakes of each species being initially submitted to water immersion for 0, 24, 48 and 72 h, and buried in the ground to natural infestation by subterranean termites for an exposure period of 30, 45 and 60 days. Three species of subterranean termites were identified: Heterotermes longiceps (Snyder), Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), and Nasutitermes jaraguae (Holmgren) (Isoptera: Termitidae). This is the first record of occurrence of H. longiceps in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Although the wood-consumption rates were not correlated significantly with their wood densities, there was a tendency of the softwoods (E. robusta and Pinus sp.) to be more consumed by subterranean termites than the woods of intermediate hardness (E. pellita and E. urophylla). Among the eucalyptus, E. robusta showed to be more susceptible to attack by subterranean termites than E. pellita and E. urophylla

Highlights

Termites are responsible for much of the degradation of wood and other cellulose material in the terrestrial environment, mainly in the tropics and subtropics (Coulson & Lund, 1973)
The wooden stakes were principally infested by the following subterranean termite species: Heterotermes longiceps (Snyder) and Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Considering wood density alone as a feeding determinant, the wood-consumption rates for the four forest species, there was a tendency for the softwoods (E. robusta and Pinus sp.) to be more consumed by subterranean termites than the woods of intermediate hardness (E. pellita and E. urophylla)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Termites are responsible for much of the degradation of wood and other cellulose material in the terrestrial environment, mainly in the tropics and subtropics (Coulson & Lund, 1973). The plantation of forest species and the use of woods having natural resistance to termites offer an alternative for the use of chemicals products. These studies are suited to sustainable rural development, forestation and reforestation programs. Correlations between wood density and termite-attack resistance have been reported in previous studies (Behr et al, 1972; Coulson & Lund, 1973; Bultman et al, 1979; Abreu & Silva, 2000). It is susceptible to attack by termites (Atkinson et al, 1992)

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CONCLUSIONS