Wood-destroying Insects Research Articles

IRGWP: An international network of key players for a better understanding and industrial developments in wood protection and preservation

IRGWP: An international network of key players for a better understanding and industrial developments in wood protection and preservation

Demonstration Project Reporting Detection of Subterranean Termite (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) Infestation and Spray Polyurethane Foam

Demonstration Project Reporting Detection of Subterranean Termite (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) Infestation and Spray Polyurethane Foam

The Effect of Surface Finishes on Rising Damp in Oriented Strand Board

It is known that oriented strand board (OSB) is prone to water absorption. This characteristic of OSB is undesirable, it can have a negative impact on the physical and mechanical properties of the material and it can also make it prone to attack from wood-destroying insects, rot or mould. The research follows previous work of the authors related to optimisation of surface finishes for OSB in order to increase its moisture resistance. The aim of the research is to compare the rise of dampness in test specimens with different types of coating, spray, primer and waterproofing under predefined conditions. The paper contains a definition of the basic material, test specimens and test methods, and covers 8 different types of surface finish materials selected for application to the test specimens. The results include graphs showing rise of dampness in the test specimens for each day of observation. The results are also discussed and in the conclusion the results are evaluated. The results of the experiments confirm the assumption that the choice of surface finish has a significant effect on slowing down the rise of dampness in OSB.

Effect of termite activity on soil chemical properties using baiting systems at an arboretum area in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract. Indrayani Y, Anwari S. 2021. Effect of termite activity on soil chemical properties using baiting systems at an arboretum area in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 2125-2130. Termites play an essential and positive role as decomposers in nature, apart from being known as wood-destroying insects. These two varying characteristics led to the development of termite control technology, capable of digesting cellulose components and making soils rich in organic compounds. Therefore, this study examines the soil's biogenic structure due to termite activity using a control technology with a baiting system. The bait was made with various compositions of eucalyptus leaves, paper and cardboard, 60%: 40%: 0%, 60%: 20%: 20%, 60%: 0%: 40%, 0%: 100%: 0% and 0%: 0%: 100% with a size of 2cm x 2cm x 1cm and eucalyptus leaves as an attractant. In addition, a PVC tube measuring 10 cm diameter and 20 cm height with 25 holes consisting of 3 mm diameter on the side was used for field application. A total of 100 grams of bait for each composition was entered into the feed tube and placed in the Arboretum of Tanjungpura University, West Kalimantan, with three replications and left for 21 days. At the end of the observation period, the soil’s biogenic structures with termites were analyzed to determine their chemical properties. Furthermore, the same analysis was also carried out on the soil surrounding the test area without termite activity for comparison. The results showed that the pH, C/N ratio, C-Organic, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium contents as well as Cation Exchange Capacity of the soil produced from the tube containing the bait with a composition of 60%: 0%: 40% was significantly higher. This means that the soil's biogenic structure produced by termite activity with a baiting system increases land productivity and chemical properties.

Conservation of Wood and Restoration of Artifacts Against Wood Destroying Organisms

Conservation of wood and restoration of artifacts against wood destroying organisms has been the greatest priority of any woodworker so far as a man greatly relies on wood products to satisfy almost every need. Since the creation of the universe, wood-destroying organisms have been with us, and have over the years caused great catastrophes that bring bad memories to several people, notable is the dunes of Holland and Columbus. Many research papers have been written by scholars across the globe concerning this topic under discussion. Those materials either talk about insects that cause damage, or the processes of conserving and restoring wood and wood products. In bridging this gap, the study aims at educating people on how to control wood and wood products from getting entirely damaged by insects. In achieving this, the study sought to outline some common but dangerous wood-destroying insects, appropriate preservation materials, and the processes to adopt in controlling the damage. In this regard, the study adopted Content Analysis in the investigation, analyses, and composition of the concept. The study divulged that insect like termites, beetles, ants, bees, etc. as well as fungi and bacteria cause destruction or damage to wood and wood products. Preservation materials like lindane, pentachlorophenol, alkaline chloride, sodium chloride, fluorosilicates, boric acid, potassium dichromate, sodium dichromate, tars, kerosene, Bassa, DDT, etc. were also revealed to be effective and reliable in conserving and restoring wood and wood products by the study. These preservation materials can be applied on wood and wood products by either; fine and coarse spraying, brushing, smoking, soaking or dipping, impregnation, injection, infusion, and so on. If the right preservative is selected and the right application method is employed, treatment will last to achieve the prevention of insects and restoring the damaged wood or wood product into a desirable form. The study is expected to serve as reference material in helping the general public, particularly woodworkers and users of wood items to know how to control certain insects attack using the appropriate, effective and reliable preservation material (s) by employing the right preservation process. As instructive research, the authors recommend extensive further studies be done by singling out each preservation material against the methods of preservation to help craftsmen and product users to know which preservation material is appropriate, its advantages and disadvantages for a particular work while employing the right method.

Damage severity of wood-destroying insects according to the Bevan damage classification system in log depots of Northwest Turkey

The aim of the study was to determine damage severity of wood-destroying insects on logs stored in forest depots. The Bevan damage classification (BDC) system, developed in 1987, was utilized to determine damage severity in log depots in 21 locations throughout seven provinces in Turkey. Pheromone traps were placed in those locations at the beginning of April in 2015 and 2016. Furthermore some stored wood within the log depots were checked and split into small pieces to collect insects that damage wood. The BDC system was used for the first time to measure the severity of insect damage in log depots. Twenty-eight families, 104 genera and 123 species were identified in this study. Based on the BDC system, the highest damage was found from the Cerambycidae and Buprestidae families. Arhopalus rusticus was determined as the insect responsible for the highest amount of damage with 8.8% severity rating in the pheromone-trapped insects group. When the stored wood material was considered, Hylotrupes bajulus was found to be the cause of the highest damage. The lowest damage values were among the predator insects (Cleridae, Trogossitidae, Cantharidae) and those feeding on fungi colonized on the wood (Mordellidae, Cerylonidae, Nitidulidae). Some other predator insects of the Tenebrionidae family (Uloma cypraea, Uloma culinaris, Menephilus cylindricus) and Elateridae family (Lacon punctatus, Ampedus sp.) exhibited relatively higher damage severity values since they had built tunnels and made holes in the stored wood material. When the environmental factors were considered, the Buprestidae family exhibited a very strong positive relationship (p < 0.005) with insect frequency distribution (r = 0.922), number of species (r = 0.879) and insect density (r = 0.942). Both families showed the highest number and frequency during July and August, highlighting the importance of insect control and management during these months.

THz tomography for detecting damages on wood caused by insects

Annually, wood-destroying insects cause severe damage in forests. The widespread population of typographer (Ips typographus), a beetle species from the subfamily of bark beetles (Scolytidae) in Europe, mainly occurs in coniferous wood, especially in spruce (Picea abies), the most silviculturally relevant wood species. The typographer infestation is detected mainly by visual monitoring and without invasive techniques only recognizable at a late stage. Terahertz radiation has shown enormous potential in nondestructive testing. THz measurements in the time-domain performed with a robotic THz system can be used for 3D reconstruction of the internal structure of the samples. In this article, we report the detection of a change in the wood structure of spruce caused by typographer burrows.

Insect Species Damaging Industrial Wood in Western Black Sea Region of Turkey

Insect species collected in log depots in Western Black Sea Region of Turkey were identified. The study covered two years, 2015 and 2016, in 21 log depots in seven provinces (Duzce, Bolu, Zonguldak, Bartin, Karabuk, Kastamonu and Sinop). The study area was divided into three sub regions and each sub region was analyzed for insect species, their prevalence and intensities. Overall, four orders, 22 families, 74 genera and 57 species were described in log depots of the study area. Sub region 1 (Düzce-Bolu) showed the highest diversity in terms of insect species and sub region 2 (Zonguldak-Bartin) had the lowest diversity. Dorcus parallelipipedus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) and Rhagium inquisitor Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) were found in all provinces studied. Based on wood species analysis, Scots pine wood had the highest diversity in insect species, followed by fi r, oak and beech. The study also described some important wood-destroying insect species from the families Anobiidae, Buprestidae and Cerambycidae. Buprestis dalmatina (Mannerheim, 1837) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), Leptura aurulenta (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and Stictoleptura scutellata (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), all wood-destroying insect species, were identified for the first time in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey.

OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS' BEHAVIOR IN ATTACKING WOOD

Insect attack is a major problem to wood generally, whether it was shaped in objects or in structures. Thus, the present study aims to highlight the behavior of insects while attacking the wood. It also aims to study the effect of preparation layers as well as coating and consolidation materials’ presence on wood-destroying insects’ behavior. Eleven samples were selected among numerous infected wood for investigation and examination by the Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM). Moreover, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to identify the materials employed in previous treatments. The chemical composition of the preparation layers applied on the wood surface was analyzed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Then, the results of the different samples were compared. The SEM examination suggested that there are different insect behaviors in attacking wood according to its status, i.e. covered with preparation layers, coated, or consolidated. It is quite evident from the obtained results that bare wood is the most affected, whereas the loss was reduced in wood samples covered with chalk-preparation layers. Furthermore, Paraloid B72 enhances hardwoods protection against re-infestation.

Physical, biological and chemical characterisation of wood treated with silver nanoparticles

Nowadays, environmentally friendly processes are of great interest and are considerably needed due to the environmental pollution seems to be a problem worldwide. For this reason, in this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using environmentally-friendly methods and their effectiveness as wood preservatives was investigated. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) samples were impregnated with an autoxidized soybean oil polymer containing Ag nanoparticles (Agsbox). Samples characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were tested against brown rot (Coniophora puteana) and wood-destroying insects (Hylotrupes bajulus). In addition, decay tests were applied to mini-block samples leached according to the EN 84 standard. Results demonstrated that Agsbox increased decay resistance in the unleached samples. However, low efficacy was exhibited against newborn H. bajulus larvae. As a results of FTIR measurement, impregnated with the nanocomposites showed significant changes at the 2910 cm−1 (C–H) and 1712 cm−1 (C=O) peaks.

Resistance of fibreboards made of milled coconut husk and bonded with tannin against insects and fungi under Philippine conditions

ABSTRACTThe study is aimed to determine the resistance of fibreboards made of milled coconut (Cocos nucifera [L.]) husk and bonded with tannin adhesive (Coconut Fibreboards - CFB) against wood-destroying insects and fungi under laboratory and field conditions. Marine plywood (MPW) samples were included in the tests for comparison. Results showed that CFB had higher resistance to insect and fungi than MPW. After four months of laboratory exposure to subterranean termites CFB had only few signs of nibbling with weight losses of 3.5%. MPW showed instead weight losses of 95%. CFB exposed for 12 months to drywood termite were damaged between 0.0% and 6.0%. MPW damage was within 21.0% and 65.0% within the same period. Wood decay fungi caused weight loss of 7.8% in CFB, while weight losses between 55.4% and 88.0% were observed in MPW. The potential of CFB for applications as ceiling and wall cladding in the Philippines was therefore suggested.

Comparison of different experimental approaches in the tomographic analysis of ancient violins

Abstract X-ray computed tomography (CT) is now a common technique for the non-destructive structural analysis of ancient manufacts of cultural and historical relevance, providing luthiers, art historians, conservators and restorators with a unique tool for the characterization of musical instruments. The experimental set-up to choose is obviously related to the kind and accuracy of the information to be extracted. Some applications of the technique require to examine extremely small details in selected parts of a violin, as in the evaluation of small cracks and thin patches, or in the characterization of larvae and eggs of wood-destroying insects. Other approaches, on the other hand, require less precise measurements of the size of the violin and its main components. Sometimes the presence of metal parts, such as strings and keys, requires a high dynamic range X-ray detector. Other parameters to be taken into account are related to the general organization of the experiment, such as the time required for the measurement, the distance of the laboratory from the instrument owner, its availability and, of course, the cost of the service.

Linking indigenous knowledge, plant morphology, and molecular differentiation: the case of ironwood (Eusideroxylon zwageri Teijsm. et Binn.)

The analysis of indigenous knowledge, morphological observations, and molecular variation are valid approaches to study plant biodiversity. A combination of these complementary methods allows a better understanding of the diversity within ironwood (Eusideroxylon zwageri Teijsm. et Binn.), an endangered ‘wild’ tropical tree species, at molecular and important functional traits. Ironwood belongs to the Lauraceae family. It is one of the most important species for construction wood in Indonesia because it is not vulnerable to termites and other ubiquitous tropical wood-destroying insects and fungi. Due to over-exploitation, populations of ironwood are decreasing and the species is included in the list of threatened tree species. Morphological variability of ironwood has been discussed and studied since the middle of the 19th century. However there is no comprehensive taxonomic assessment to the present time. The variability is mostly recognized by local people based on bark, wood and fruit characteristics. The present study has been conducted to answer whether the variation that is recognized by local people has a genetic basis. AFLPs were chosen as molecular markers best suited for this study due their capacity to estimate genome-wide genetic diversity. Morphological structure assessment was conducted to confirm specific characteristics of each variety. The percentage of polymorphic fragments was 52 %. UPGMA cluster analysis showed that 98 % of individual ironwood samples formed clusters according to their variety as recognized by local people. There was strong correspondence between clusters identified by AFLP analysis and morphological analyses.

Wood moisture monitoring during log house thermal insulation mounting

The current designs of thermal insulation for buildings concentrate on the achievement of the required heat transmission coefficient. However, another factor that cannot be neglected is the assessment of the possible water vapour condensation inside the construction. The aim of the study was to find out whether the designed modification of the cladding structure of an existing log house will or will not lead to a risk of possible water vapour condensation in the walls after an additional thermal insulation mounting. The condensation could result in the increase in moisture of the walls and consequently the constructional timber, which would lead to the reduction of the timber construction strength, wood degradation by biotic factors – wood-destroying insects, mildew or wood-destroying fungi. The main task was to compare the theoretically established values of moisture of the constructional timber with the values measured inside the construction using a specific example of a thermal insulated log house. Three versions of thermal insulation were explored to find the solution of a log house reconstruction which would be the optimum for living purposes. Two versions deal with the cladding structure with the insulation from the interior, the third version deals with an external insulation.In a calculation model the results can be affected to a great degree by input values (boundary conditions). This especially concerns the factor of vapour barrier diffusion resistance, which is entered in accordance with the producer’s specifications; however, its real value can be lower as it depends on the perfectness and correctness of the technological procedure. That is why the study also includes thermal technical calculations of all designed insulation versions in the most unfavourable situation, which includes the degradation of the vapour barrier down to 10% efficiency, i.e. the reduction of the diffusion resistance factor to 10% of the original value. Moreover, the dependence of the weight moisture of timber inside the insulated cladding on temperature-moisture changes in the internal and external ambient environment was examined.

Evaluation of Colemanite against Wood-Destroying Insects

Colemanite is hydrated calcium borate hydroxide and a borate mineral found in evaporate deposits of alkaline lacustrine environments. It is a secondary mineral that forms by alternation of borax and ulexite. As this chemical is less toxic to human beings and other organisms, it was chosen to assess its efficacy against various wood destroying insects. Colemanite at 1% concentration is the lethal dose found in the present investigation to make plywood free from wood destroying insects. In India, this is the first report where colemanite is used in the preservation of plywood.

International Field Trials of Pyrethroid-Treated Wood Exposed to &lt;I&gt;Coptotermes acinaciformis&lt;/I&gt; in Australia and &lt;I&gt;Coptotermes formosanus&lt;/I&gt; (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in China and the United States

Coptotermes Wasmann is one of the most important genera of wood-destroying insect pests, both in its native and introduced countries. Pyrethroids are among the most widely used insecticides in wood preservation around the world. Consequently, they have often been evaluated against different species of Coptotermes. However, because various test methods have been used between countries, comparing results is problematic. These field trials, using a single aboveground method of exposure, assessed a range of retentions of two pyrethroids (bifenthrin and permethrin) in Pinus radiata D. Don sapwood against two species of Coptotermes in three countries to provide directly comparable results. Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) in Australia consumed the most nontreated wood, followed by Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki in China, then C. formosanus in the United States, although these data were not significantly different. Both termite species demonstrated a dose-response to wood treated with the two pyrethroids; less wood was consumed as retention increased. Overall, C. acinaciformis consumed relatively little of the treated wood. In comparison, C. formosanus consumed 20-90% of the wood treated at the lowest retentions of the pyrethroids evaluated. Results indicated that C. acinaciformis was more sensitive to pyrethroid toxicity/repellency compared with C. formosanus. Factors that may have influenced the results are discussed. However, using a single aboveground method of exposure across three countries, that suited both species of Coptotermes, made it possible to determine unambiguously the actual differences between the species in their tolerances to the two pyrethroid insecticides.

Sterilization of Biotic Pests by Microwave Radiation

Some of the issues connected to timber structures are caused by wood-destroying insects. The sterilization of timber elements affected by wood-destroying insects with the help of microwaves removes the deficiencies of other available methodologies. Hence the given paper deals with the experimental sterilization of wood-destroying insect by the application of microwave radiation. It explains the principles behind heating with microwaves and also describes the biological effects of microwave radiation in a simplified manner. The following chapter introduces the equipment required for microwave sterilization to take place and the actual experimental sterilization process. In the final part of the paper are the results of the experimental activity. Throughout the experiments it was found out that microwave radiation seems to be an effective methodology to sterilize wood-destroying beetles. Within the conclusion the intensity of microwave radiation needed for a successful and effective sterilization process is recommended together with the time along which the timber element must have a constant temperature achieved by heating in the primary phase.

Release of Terpenes from Fir Wood during Its Long-Term Use and in Thermal Treatment

Building structures made from fir wood are often attacked by wood-destroying insects for which the terpenes it contains serve as attractants. One of the possibilities for extending the lifetime of structures is to use older wood with a lower content of terpenes and/or thermally modified wood. The study evaluated the levels of terpenes in naturally aged fir wood (108, 146, 279, 287 and 390 years) and their decrease by thermal treatment (the temperature of 60 °C and 120 °C, treatment duration of 10 h). Terpenes were extracted from wood samples by hexane and analyzed by gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS). The results indicate that recent fir wood contained approximately 60 times more terpenes than the oldest wood (186:3.1 mg/kg). The thermal wood treatment speeded up the release of terpenes. The temperature of 60 °C caused a loss in terpenes in the recent fir wood by 62%, the temperature of 120 °C even by >99%. After the treatment at the temperature of 60 °C the recent fir wood had approximately the same quantity of terpenes as non-thermally treated 108 year old wood, i.e., approximately 60–70 mg/kg. After the thermal treatment at the temperature of 120 °C the quantity of terpenes dropped in the recent as well as the old fir wood to minimum quantities (0.7–1.1 mg/kg). The thermal treatment can thus be used as a suitable method for the protection of fir wood from wood-destroying insects.

Effect of neem seed oil fumigation on wood-destroying insect

As the deadline for phasing out the use of conventional synthetic chemicals as fumigant approaches, alternative fumigants are being evaluated. Fumigants from plant origins could have greater potential in future on the basis of their efficacy, economic value and use in large scale storage. Several aromatic plants are being investigated for their antifeedant and insecticidal activity including their fumigation action. In the present study, neem seed oil (Nso) was extracted and used at different concentrations. Wooden blocks of hard and soft woods were fumigated with six concentrations of Nso and exposed to Lyctus africanus Lesne larvae. Nso has emerged as promising alternative of synthetic fumigants. The present study showed that Nso is an effective fumigant for the control of Lyctus larvae at all concentrations tested. The lowest concentration showed 48% mean mortality, while 1·6% caused >85% mortality of Lyctus larvae. On the basis of probit analysis, it was observed that the LC50 of Nso for L. africanus is 0·048–0·05% in both woods.

Cellulolytic activity of bacterial symbionts of wood-destroying insects.

Cellulolytic activity of bacterial symbionts of wood-destroying insects.