Wood Packaging Research Articles

How Reducing Fossil-Based Plastic Use Can Help the Overall Sustainability of Oyster Farming: The Case of the Gulf of La Spezia

Oyster farming plays a crucial role in sustainable food production due to its high nutritional value and relatively low environmental impact. However, in a scenario of increasing production, it is necessary to consider the issue of plastic use as a limitation to be addressed. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted on oyster farming in La Spezia (Italy) as a case study, utilizing 1 kg of packaged oysters as the functional unit. Fossil-based plastics and wooden packaging were identified as the primary environmental concerns. To analyze potential strategies for reducing the environmental impact of oyster farming, alternative scenarios were considered wherein fossil-based materials were replaced with bio-based materials. Specifically, this study examined the substitution of the current packaging, consisting of a wooden box and a polypropylene (PP) film, with a fully recyclable PP net. Additionally, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and bio-based polyethylene terephthalate (Bio-PET) were proposed as alternatives to virgin high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and PP for buoys, oyster bags, and boxes. Among the scenarios analyzed, the sole effective strategy to reduce the impact of plastics on the process is to replace them with PHA. In the other cases, the high energy consumption of their non-optimized production renders them disadvantageous options. However, the assessment must include the effects of degradation that traditional plastics can have in the marine environment, an aspect that potentially renders natural fibers more advantageous. The use of PP net packaging has demonstrated high efficacy in reducing impacts and provides a foundation for considering the need to combine sustainability and marketing with current legislation regarding food packaging.

Environmental Management in Coal Mining Companies Utilizing Wooden Pallet Waste with Wood Chipper Machines for Hydrocarbon Spill Absorbent in Maintenance Activities

Wooden pallets often accumulate as waste, potentially causing environmental problems such as pest infestation, soil and water pollution, and large-scale waste accumulation. Efficient waste management methods such as recycling are needed to reduce these impacts, especially in industrial environments. This study aims to explore the potential utilization of wood pallet waste as a hydrocarbon spill sorbent through processing with wood cutting machines at PT AMM Jobsite Mifa Bersaudara. This research involves the collection and processing of wood pallet waste using a wood chipper machine. The process includes sorting, cleaning, crushing, and packaging wood waste into powder. The tools and materials used are wood pallet shredder, hammer, crowbar, and personal protective equipment. This research follows a systematic flow from problem identification to evaluation and analysis of results. Results of the study showed that the application of wood pallet shredder machine significantly reduced the volume of wood pallet waste. From January to May 2024, the unutilized waste accumulated to 4.67 tons. After introducing the shredding process in June and July 2024, waste utilization increased, achieving an 80% reduction in solid waste. The processed wood powder was effectively used to absorb hydrocarbon spills, optimize resource use, and reduce disposal costs. This research has implications for the feasibility of converting industrial wood waste into useful products, contributing to environmental conservation and cost efficiency. It emphasizes the importance of sustainable waste management practices in reducing the environmental footprint of industrial activities while fostering employee awareness on environmental protection.

Approach to Validate ISPM-15 Compliance for Commercial Treatment Certification of Dielectric Standard Heating of Bulk Solid Wood Packing Materials using Radio Frequency

Abstract To substantially reduce the risk of alien invasive species moving to new geographic areas, phytosanitary treatment of wood packaging materials (WPM) in compliance with the International Standard of Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM-15) is required by trading partners. Approved treatments include conventional heating, methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride fumigation, and dielectric heating (DH). The DH standard was officially adopted in 2013 but has not been practiced commercially due primarily to insufficient operational validation at commercial scale. In 2022, we converted our 50-kW radio frequency (RF) unit with a 1,200-board foot capacity from an oscillator electromagnetic field power generator to a solid-state power supply, which allows for selective power input adjustments during treatment; we also switched from a five-plate to a three-plate winged electrode system to improve heating uniformity. Each loading cycle can treat sufficient material to build ∼94 standard Grocery Manufacturers Association pallets. Our research team characterized the dielectric heating pattern and options for monitoring wood temperatures over a wide-ranging test matrix of WPM that varied by wood species, dimension, moisture content, and loading configuration. We found that this upgraded RF system markedly reduced treatment times and improved heating uniformity, allowing us to develop methods that can be used to verify compliance with ISPM-15 for improved technology transfer to industry. We also discuss the operational cost of RF treatment and make general cost comparisons to conventional heat treatment for WPM.

Theoretical Study of the Steady Time of Thermal Transmission in Materials That Have Engineering Uses

General Background: Understanding the time required to achieve steady-state heat transfer in construction materials is crucial for various engineering applications, including construction, architecture, and electronics. Specific Background: This study investigates the steady time of thermal transmission in engineering materials using both theoretical and experimental approaches. Knowledge Gap: Despite existing research on heat transfer, there is a lack of comprehensive studies that integrate both simulation and experimental validation for a wide range of building materials.Aims: The primary aim is to evaluate the steady-state time of heat transfer in fifteen construction materials through theoretical models and simulations using MATLAB and ANSYS, and to experimentally validate these findings with four selected materials. Results: The study finds that the steady time for heat transfer varies significantly among materials, with wood packaging requiring the longest time (32.49 hours) and aluminum the shortest (0.49 hours). Theoretical results, validated by simulations, show close agreement between MATLAB and ANSYS (0.087% deviation) and between numerical and experimental results (9.5% deviation). Brick demonstrated a 61.18% longer heat transfer time compared to concrete, while thermostone showed a 17.45% and 89.31% increase over brick and concrete, respectively. Novelty: This research provides new insights into the comparative stability of heat transfer times across a broad spectrum of materials, highlighting significant performance variations and validating simulation methods against experimental data. Implications: These findings are vital for optimizing material selection in construction to enhance thermal efficiency. The study’s methodologies can aid in developing more accurate predictive models for heat transfer in construction materials, thereby contributing to improved design and energy performance in building applications.

Structure Formation in Engineered Wood Using Wood Waste and Biopolyurethane.

This research aims to find suitable processing methods that allow the reuse of wood waste to produce wood waste-based engineered wood logs for construction that meet the strength requirements for structural timber for sawn structural softwood. Three types of wood waste were examined: wood packaging waste (W), waste from the construction and furniture industry (PLY), and door manufacturing waste (DW). The wood waste was additionally crushed and sieved, and the granulometric composition and shape of the particles were evaluated. The microstructure of the surface of the wood waste particles was also analysed. A three-component biopolyurethane adhesive was used to bind wood waste particles. An analysis of the contact zones between the particles and biopolyurethane was performed, and the adhesion efficiency of their surfaces was evaluated. Analysis was performed using tensile tests, and the formation of contact zones was analysed with a scanning electron microscope. The wood particles were chemically treated with sodium carbonate, calcium hypochlorite, and peroxide to increase the efficiency of the contact zones between the particles and the biopolyurethane adhesive. Chemical treatment made fillers up to 30% lighter and changed the tensile strength depending on the solution used. The tensile strength of engineered wood prepared from W and treated with sodium carbonate increased from 8331 to 12,702 kPa compared to untreated waste. Additionally, the compressive strength of engineered wood made of untreated and treated wood waste particles was determined to evaluate the influence of the wood particles on the strength characteristics.

Remediation of chlorpyrifos by utilizing waste packaging wood as magnetic biochar

AbstractThe concentration of pesticides in water resources (groundwater and surface water) has reached concerning levels due to the widespread use of pesticides in agricultural activities and their persistent nature. Pesticide contamination poses severe health risks to humans and also to various animal populations. Therefore, innovative approaches to pesticide removal from contaminated water is an essential area of research leading to various chemical‐ and herbal‐based solutions to this problem. The present work demonstrates a novel approach to addressing pesticide contamination by repurposing waste packaging wood for their removal. Wood is one of the major components utilized in packaging which results in a large amount of waste requiring management. In this work, waste packaging wood has been utilized to produce magnetic biochar using pyrolysis in an environmentally friendly way and characterized using various characterization tools such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy. FTIR results confirmed the characteristic peak at 577 cm−1 of the magnetic group representing biochar. The efficiency of prepared magnetic biochar for the removal of one of the most frequently used organophosphate pesticides (chlorpyrifos) was tested using batch absorption studies; the results are significant, as the prepared magnetic biochar showed more than 85% removal efficiency of chlorpyrifos with (10 mg/10 mL) at optimized conditions (pH 4–5, temperature ~25°C) in 1 h. This work has promising future potential as the magnetic biochar produced from alternative waste wood sources, such as packaging wood, crop stubble (paralli), and hence forth can be extended to address the removal of different pesticides from water. Moreover, this innovation provides the added benefit of avoiding air pollution caused by the burning of waste wood or utilizing landfill space for wood waste.

Distribution of the invasive ambrosia beetle Anisandrus maiche (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) in Switzerland and first record in Europe of its ambrosia fungus Ambrosiella cleistominuta

Ambrosia beetles are highly successful as invaders because they are often transported internationally with wood packaging and other wood products and because their inbreeding mating systems facilitates establishment of invading populations. In 2022, two independent insect surveys in canton Ticino (southern Switzerland) revealed the widespread occurrence of the invasive ambrosia beetle Anisandrus maiche (Kurentzov, 1941) from southern to central-upper Ticino. This species is native to east Asia and has previously been found as a non-native invasive species in the United States, Canada, western Russia, Ukraine and, in 2021, in northern Italy. Here, we present the results of several trapping studies using different trap types (bottle traps, funnel traps and Polytrap intercept traps) and attractants and a map of the distribution of the species. In total, 715 specimens of A. maiche, all female, were trapped, and the identity of selected individuals was confirmed by morphological and molecular identification based on three mitochondrial and nuclear markers (COI, 28S and CAD). Trap samples from early April to early September 2022 in intervals of two to four weeks showed that flights of A. maiche occurred mainly from June to mid-August. Isolation of fungal associates of A. maiche from beetles trapped alive revealed the presence of four fungal species, including the ambrosia fungus Ambrosiella cleistominuta, the known mutualist of A. maiche. The identity of A. cleistominuta was confirmed by comparing DNA sequences of its nuclear, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene with reference sequences in NCBI and BOLDSYSTEMS. This represents the first record of A. cleistominuta in Europe. Of the other fungal associates isolated from A. maiche in Ticino, Fusarium lateritium is of note as there is a possibility that A. maiche could act as a vector of this plant pathogen. We highlight several research needs that should be addressed to gain insight into the potential impact of these non-native species and to overcome problems with heteroplasmy in COI sequences in studies of invasion and population genetics of ambrosia beetles.

The Effect of Product Quality and Product Innovation on Consumer Decisions Using Wood Packaging Material Services

This study aimed to determine the effect of product quality on consumer decisions using wood packaging material services at Carsurindo Siperkasa Medan to assess the impact of product innovation on consumer decisions using wood packaging material services at PT. Carsurindo Siperkasa Medan determines the effect of product quality and product innovation on consumer decisions to use wood packaging material services at PT. Carsurindo Siperkasa Medan. The analysis technique used in this study uses quantitative data analysis techniques, namely testing and analysing data. The respondents in the study were 45 people. From the results of this study, it was obtained the significance value of the product quality variable (X1) on the consumer purchasing decision variable (Y) based on the t-test was obtained at t count > t table (8.212) > (2.018), (Sig 0.001 < α0.05) thus H1 accepted and H0 is rejected, the conclusion: there is a significant effect of product quality (X1) on consumer purchasing decisions (Y). The significance value of the product innovation variable (X2) on the consumer purchasing decision variable (Y) based on the t-test obtained t count > t table (3.970) > (2.018), (Sig 0.001 <α0.05), thus H2 is accepted, and H0 is rejected, in conclusion. There is a significant influence of product innovation (X2) on consumer purchasing decisions (Y). Therefore the results of this study state that the two independent variables support the hypothesis. Based on the results of the F test, it was obtained that the F count > F table was (34.068 > 3.21), (Sig 0.001 <α0.05); thus, H3 was accepted, and H0 was rejected. The conclusion: Product quality and innovation have a significant effect on consumer purchasing decisions. It shows that if the company can improve product quality and innovation, consumers will be interested in buying these products, increasing consumer purchasing decisions.

Analysis of consumer protection system in improving expedition services from an Islamic perspective: A case study of insurance at J&T Express Medan

IntroductionAs the economic landscape in Indonesia continues to evolve, there is a growing demand for shipping services. Nevertheless, from an Islamic perspective, research regarding insurance protection for shipped goods remains limited.ObjectivesThis research aims to examine consumer protection in enhancing expedition services for the shipment of goods at J&T Express Medan, focusing on the forms of protection against delays, damages, and losses during delivery due to negligence in the shipment process, which results in losses for consumers.MethodThe research methodology employed is qualitative research with a descriptive approach. This study utilized both primary and secondary data.ResultsIn the context of J&T Express's regular services, the service provider includes protections such as insurance and wooden packaging if deemed necessary by consumers to prevent damages and resultant losses during the shipment of goods. To ensure the safety of shipped items, J&T always offers insurance options for every item dispatched, especially for high-value items. Additionally, J&T Express provides packing services to guarantee the security and safety of the transported goods.ImplicationsThis research provided insights for sellers on whether they should opt for insurance protection or not based on the nature, fragility, and value of the items being shipped.Originality/NoveltyThis study contributes to insurance protection in the context of shipments from an Islamic perspective in Indonesia.

Complex European invasion history of Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky): new insights in its population genomic differentiation using genotype-by-sequencing.

Anthropogenic activities like trade facilitate increasing rates of biological invasions. Asian long-horned beetle (ALB), which is naturally distributed in eastern Asia (China, Korean peninsula), was introduced via wood packing materials (WPM) used in trade to North America (1996) and Europe (2001). We used 7810 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) derived by a genotype-by-sequencing (GBS) approach to decipher the introduction patterns into Europe. This is applied for the first time on European ALB outbreaks from Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, both from still active and already eradicated infestations. The genome-wide SNPs detected signs of small and highly structured populations within Europe, showing clear founder effects. The very high population differentiation is presumably derived from multiple independent introductions to Europe, which are spatially restricted in mating. By admixture and phylogenetic analyses, some cases of secondary dispersal were observed. Furthermore, some populations suggest admixture, which might have been originated by either multiple introductions from different sources into the new sites or recurrent introductions from an admixed source population. Our results confirmed a complex invasion history of the ALB into Europe and the usability of GBS obtained SNPs in invasion science even without source populations.

Competitive Strategy for Wooden Pallet Packaging Products Using Porter's Five Forces Analysis (Case Study on CV. Karya Anugerah Sentosa)

In the business world, competition between companies is very sharp, where new competitors can enter easily and suppliers and customers can increase their bargaining. With this research, it can be seen what strategies CV. Karya Anugerah Sentosa, the competitive climate of wooden pallet packaging manufacturing companies using Porter's Five Force theory and alternative strategies used. This type of research is descriptive qualitative research. The research subject is CV. Karya Anugerah Sentosa with the research object of Porter's five powers. The respondents used were one owner, one person in charge of the warehouse, four warehouse employees and seven consumers from different companies. The results of this research show that the strategies used to deal with Porter's five forces are differentiation strategies and diversification strategies.

Design of a disposable wooden tableware packaging inspection device

Design of a disposable wooden tableware packaging inspection device

Phytosanitary Risk Analysis for Anoplophora chinensis (Forster, 1771) on fruit crops, broadleaved ornamental and forest tree species for Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a traditional agricultural country, where various types of fruit crops, such as apple (Malus), pear (Pyrus), peach, apricot and plum (Prunus), are hosts to Anoplophora chinensis (citrus longhorned beetle). In addition, Anoplophora chinensis is a serious pest of ornamental and forest tree species, such as poplar (Populus), willow (Salix), maple (Acer), alder (Alnus), birch (Betula), chestnut (Castanea), beech (Fagus), oak (Quercus), rose (Rosa), etc. Anoplophora chinensis (citrus longhorned beetle) is a widespread pest in Southeast Asia with climate types ranging from tropical to temperate. It has been introduced to the United States, but it has been successfully eradicated. In Europe, outbreaks of Anoplophora chinensis have been reported from Italy, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The pest has been successfully eradicated in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. At this moment, there is no evidence that Anoplophora chinensis is present in the area for which the phytosanitary risk analysis is being carried out. The main routes for the entry of Anoplophora chinensis into the EU and Bulgaria are through the commercial exchange and movement of planting material (plant material including bonsai plants) and wood products (including logs, timber, wooden packaging material from solid wood without bark and pallets) from host plants originating in countries with established infestation. The probability of Anoplophora chinenis entering Bulgaria naturally is relatively low, despite the fact that outbreaks of the pest have been found in the Black Sea region of Turkey, since the maximum distance of natural spread of the pest in one year is about 194 m. The presence of host plants, as well as the climatic conditions in Bulgaria, are not a limiting factor, which is why the pest has great potential to enter new areas and/or to adapt to new climatic and/or ecological conditions. In case of entry, establishment and spread of Anoplophora chinensis in Bulgaria, it can have a negative impact, both on fruit production and timber harvesting, as well as on ecology, biodiversity in broadleaved forests and urban landscapes, and last but not least, on the development of the resort industry and tourism. The effect on exports of agricultural produce and timber would also be negative. A possible entry, establishment and spread of Anoplophora chinensis in our country would also affect the financial situation of farmers.

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

Dynamic material flow analysis of wood in Germany from 1991 to 2020

Severe climate change and urgent climate action have raised concerns about wood. Overharvesting and increased wood waste are putting immense pressure on sustainable forest management and the global carbon budget. In Germany, a vital wood supplier and user in Europe, the wood supply chain's production, consumption, trade, and recycling have been insufficiently investigated. To tackle this challenge, we conducted a comprehensive dynamic wood flow analysis from 1991 to 2020. Approximately 2143 million cubic meters of standing timber were felled in German forests over the past three decades, with 80% used for materials and 20% for energy purposes. Wood flow patterns were susceptible to market demand and forest disturbances like drought, storms, and insect infestations. The storm in 2007 left a notable impact, leading to the highest figures ever recorded for various wood products. Notably, the net forest carbon sink, carbon storage in forest products, and energy substitution effect (replacing fossil energy with wood) reached 160, 332, and 343 million tons of carbon, respectively. However, the transition to renewable energy, wooden buildings, and wood and paper packaging demands further strains the wood supply chain. To promote sustainable forest management and achieve climate neutrality, we propose potential strategies for consideration.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND RECYCLABLE PACKAGING IN PAKISTAN'S CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES

Packaging plays a crucial role in protecting substances from loss, spoilage, and harmful interactions, yet its disposal contributes to environmental degradation. This study investigates packaging use in chemical industries and its potential for recyclability, focusing on environmental sustainability. The research aims to address the challenge of balancing the protective function of packaging with its environmental impact. Through a comprehensive analysis, it examines various packaging materials, such as plastics, metals, and wood, in terms of their recyclability and environmental effects. The study proposes a methodological framework to assess the environmental impact of packaging, considering factors like product losses, waste generation, and environmental effects. By adopting this framework, the study seeks to provide insights into sustainable packaging practices in the chemical industry. Shifting towards sustainable packaging involves transitioning from a linear to a circular model, emphasizing extraction, production, reuse, and recycling. This transition necessitates a holistic approach that considers the entire lifecycle of packaging materials. The findings reveal significant correlations between packaging materials and environmental sustainability. Plastic packaging emerges as a critical factor, showing a strong positive correlation, while metal and wooden packaging also demonstrate positive impacts, albeit to a lesser extent.

Methods of energy production from biomass

Biomass, in addition to being used for heating purposes in households, is increasingly used for the production of electricity, as well as liquid fuels for motor vehicles. Similar to other renewable resources, the analysis of the possibility of using biomass (theoretical, technical and economic potential) should include a systematic analysis of available potentials and technologies, as well as economic parameters related to its price (biomass as raw material), the price of energy obtained from biomass (effectiveness of applied technology of transformation of primary into useful form of energy) and competitiveness in relation to other energy sources (static and dynamic economic-financial parameters). As there are different techniques and methodologies for estimating the potential of biomass, it is possible to significantly deviate from the obtained results in the estimated quantities, so it is necessary to further analyze the acceptability of the error in the assessment. The biggest obstacle in the use of biomass as an energy source for industrial purposes for energy production is the lack of a fuel cycle of a chaos system of processes, technologies and equipment that allow fuel from its natural state (primary form of fuel) to be prepared and brought into a usable state (usable forms of energy). The process of formation and development of the fuel cycle for biomass is further complicated by the diversity of forms and properties of biomass, its wide distribution and low energy concentration, as well as its seasonal character. The potential of biomass in the territory of Republic of Srpska comes from various production activities (residues from field, fruit, vineyard, livestock and forestry production, as well as municipal waste). Farming and animal husbandry have a long tradition among farmers in the Republic of Srpska, as well as fruit, vineyard and forestry production. The structure and quantities of communal waste depend on housing density, economic and communal activities, cultural habits and social environment. Biomass as an energy source is available in the form of waste from forestry and wood processing (waste wood from forestry, sawdust, bark, construction waste, wood packaging, plant residues from fruit production, plant residues from agricultural production - straw, corn, etc.), plantation of energy crops (energy cereals, fast-growing energy tree plantations, sugar-rich plants, oilseeds, etc.), as well as organic waste. The process of conversion of biomass into energy is most often observed from the thermal, i.e., thermo-chemical, biological or physic-chemical process. Within this chapter, an overview of the state and directions of development of technologies for the conversion of biomass as an energy source into a useful form of energy (primarily into electricity and heat) is given. Each method of energy production used, including methods that use biomass as fuel, has its advantages and disadvantages. Special emphasis was given to overcoming significant shortcomings in the use of biomass as an energy resource, as well as its impact on covering the total consumption of electricity and heat and technological steam in industrial plants, as well as consumption as biofuels in transport technology. A special segment is given to the impact of biomass as an energy source on environmental protection, as well as on the conditions that need to be provided in order to achieve CO2 neutrality. Also, the sustainability of each of the methods for the transformation of biomass into a useful form of energy was analyzed.

Preparation and Characterization of Thermal-Insulating Microporous Breathable Al/LLDPE/CaCO3 Composite Films.

Breathable films were prepared based on linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and aluminum (Al; 0, 2, 4, and 8 wt.%) using extrusion molding at a pilot scale. These films must generally be able to transmit moist vapor through pores (breathability) while maintaining a barrier to liquids; this was accomplished using properly formulated composites containing spherical CaCO3 fillers. The presence of LLDPE and CaCO3 was confirmed by X-ray diffraction characterization. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results revealed the formation of Al/LLDPE/CaCO3 composite films. The melting and crystallization behaviors of the Al/LLDPE/CaCO3 composite films were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. Thermogravimetric analysis results show that the prepared composites exhibited high thermal stability up to 350 °C. Moreover, the results demonstrate that surface morphology and breathability were both influenced by the presence of various Al contents, and their mechanical properties improved with increasing Al concentration. In addition, the results show that the thermal insulation capacity of the films increased after the addition of Al. The composite with 8 wt.% Al showed the highest thermal insulation capacity (34.6%), indicating a new approach to transform composite films into novel advanced materials for use in the fields of wooden house wrapping, electronics, and packaging.

Aphelenchoides koreanus n. sp. (Tylenchina: Aphelenchoididae) found in packaging wood from South Korea

Summary Aphelenchoides koreanus n. sp. isolated in Ningbo Port, P.R. China, from Pinus packaging wood from South Korea is described. It is characterised by the female length of 603 (511-687) μm, stout body shape (a = 24.4 (21.9-26.7)). The lateral field has four incisures. The slender stylet is 12.3 (11.7-13.4) μm long and has small basal swellings. The excretory pore is located posterior to the nerve ring. The hemizonid is immediately posterior to excretory pore, but sometimes invisible. The vagina is not sclerotised, and the vulva has strongly protruding lips and lacks a flap. The PUS is well developed and forms ca 30.6-41.9% of the vulva to anus distance. Tail sub-cylindrical, terminus bluntly rounded or slightly pointed, always bearing a very short mucron or a small projection, about 1 μm long. Males absent. The new species belongs to the group 1 category of Aphelenchoides species sensu Shahina. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences confirmed its status as a new species.

Description of two new Cryptaphelenchus species from China and Japan

Summary The study aims to provide the morphological and molecular characterisation of two newly discovered Cryptaphelenchus species, namely: C. curvatum n. sp. and C. tumidus n. sp. Morphologically both species are minute nematodes, possess medium-sized stylets with basal knobs laterally directed, and short post-uterine sacs (PUS). Cryptaphelenchus curvatum n. sp. was detected from the local Pinus branch samples and is characterised by having an equal proportion of adult males and females, medium-sized body lengths of females 353 (320-388) μm and males 277 (256-293) μm, lateral fields with four lateral lines, 8-10 μm long stylet, PUS about one vulva body width long and conical posterior body end with a blunt pointed tip. Cryptaphelenchus tumidus n. sp. was detected in a packaging wood sample from Japan and is characterised by having rare male, short body lengths of females 236 (217-270) μm and males 180 μm, obscure lateral fields, stylet 6.8 (6.0-7.5) μm, PUS about half vulva body width long and a slim conical posterior body end with a finely rounded tip. The phylogenetic trees were also constructed based on rRNA gene sequences (D2-D3 segments of the 28S, ITS and 18S) and discussed in detail. Since Cryptaphelenchus species offer multitrophic relationships among their insect vectors and associated microbiota, species recognition and molecular studies of recovered populations will facilitate researchers to determine whether these species might play any ecological roles in insect bionomics or the residing host tree.