ZUR LABORATORIUMSPRÜFUNG VON TEXTILIEN AUF TERMITENFESTIGKEIT MIT KALOTERMES FLAVICOLLIS FABR

Abstract

Für die Prüfung von Textilien auf Termitenfestigkeit hat sich seit langer Zeit die Trocken‐holztermite Kalo***termes flavicollis Fabr. hervorragend bewährt. Durch neue radiobiologische und verhaltensphysiologische Untersuchungen wird die vorgeschlagene Prüfmethodik biologisch begründet und im einzelnen näher erläutert.SummaryLABORATORY EXPERIMENTS ON THE RESISTANCE OF VARIOUS MATERIALS, ESPECIALLY TEXTILES, TO KALOTERMES FLAVICOLLIS FABR.Experiments were made over a period of two years on the resistance of various materials, especially textiles, to termites. The dry wood termite, Kalotermes flavicollis Fabr. was used as a test animal, as this insect is resistant to environmental conditions and it readily attacks hard materials. Quantitative radio‐biological investigations showed that fifth‐instar larvae and “Pseudergates”, which both feed actively, are good test animals. After moulting, larvae do not feed for 4 days. It is advisable therefore to use large batches (30 larvae in each) to ensure that some are trying to feed at any time. Experiments should last 21 days at least. The method used in testing the effects of K. flavicollis on textiles, and the way the insect is acclimatised, are described. A useful new technique for these tests consists of pulling the textile into the metal frame of a projector‐slide. Termites can gnaw through materials otherwise resistant when they are covered by a thin perforated film of termite‐proof material. If the perforations are of the same diameter as the termite's head they serve as innate releasing mechanisms for “food‐tunnel gnawing”. This method should only be used in special cases, e.g. testing for repellency, surface hardness, etc.