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Formosan Subterranean Termite Resistance to Heat Treatment of Scots Pine and Norway Spruce
2003 - IRG/WP 03-40264
New challenges to the durability of wood building materials have arisen in the U.S. The Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) now infests sizable portions of the U.S. south and their range is extending. Heat treatments offer a unique opportunity for wood-based composites because many of the process techniques already employ various thermal applications and could be easil...
W R Smith, A O Rapp, C R Welzbacher, J E Winandy


Suppression of termite feeding by Sudan red 7B
1988 - IRG/WP 1344
Groups of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, were fed for 14 days on wood shavings soaked in acetone solutions of one of three concentrations (0, 0.5, or 1%) of the dye, Sudan Red 7B. Groups of marked or unmarked termites were then placed in containers and allowed to feed on undyed wood for 21 days. Dyed termites had lower wood feeding rate, survivorship, and number...
K S Delaplane, L A Bourg, J P La Fage


Assessment of untreated Papua New Guinean timbers against subterranean termites. Progress Report 1
1990 - IRG/WP 1436
Eight major commercial timber species (Intsia palembanica, Pometia pinnata, Homalium foetidum, Dracontomelon dao, Calophyllum spp., Eucalyptus deglupta, Nothofagus spp., and Alstonia scholaris) were exposed in ground contact against termites. Five replicates of heartwood stakes of 25x25x250 mm³ of each species were randomly embedded in the soil. Results after 24 months exposure showed that Kwila ...
M Rokova, H C Konabe


Susceptibility of heartwood of three Pinus species to attack by the subterranean termite Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt)
1994 - IRG/WP 94-20026
Heartwood of plantation-grown Pinus elliottii (slash pine), Pinus caribaea (Caribbean pine) and Pinus radiata (radiata pine) was obtained from a range of locations throughout Australia and New Zealand for use in a field bioassey with subterranean termites. Timber stock was analysed for a number of stilbene and flavonoid heartwood extractive components which could contribute to variation in suscept...
M J Kennedy, L L Dixon, B C Peters


Implications for comparability of laboratory experiments revealed in studies on the effects of population density on the vigour in groups of Coptotermes lacteus (Froggatt) and Nasutitermes exitiosus(Hill) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae, Termitidae)
1983 - IRG/WP 1197
(Summary of paper 1194) The vigour - survival and wood consumption - of groups of Coptotermes lacteus and Nasutitermes exitiosus was measured when termites were kept at different population densities (g termites/ mL) by changing group size and/or volume of the holding container. A characteristic pattern emerged. At low population densities (< 0,01 g/mL) performance of termites improved with an increase in group size; at higher population densities it tended to decline. The impact of altering group size and container volume on termite vigour was most pronounced at low densities; at higher population densities, performance tended to be more stable but declined markedly when termites became overcrowded. In most jar-type experiments on termites, especially those conducted in Europe and the U.S.A., small groups of termites are housed in disproportionately large jars, resulting in very low, sub-optimal population densities. Suggestions are made for improvements in experimental design that would lead to an enhancement of the comparability of results from different laboratories.
M Lenz, R A Barrett, E R Williams


Detection of termite attack in wood using acoustic emission
1989 - IRG/WP 2331
Acoustic emission (AE) is the elastic wave produced by the strain energy released in the process of fracture of a material and propagates through it. The object of this report is to detect AEs produced by the termite activities and to evaluate the possibility of using an AE monitoring test to nondestructively detect the termite attack in wood. It was revealed that AEs were detected from the specim...
Y Fujii, M Noguchi, Y Imamura, M Tokoro


Laboratory evaluation of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (TIM-BORÒ ) as a wood preservative or a bait-toxicant against the Formosan and eastern subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
1991 - IRG/WP 1513
A no-choice bioassay indicated that termite feeding was significantly reduced when wood was treated with TIM-BORÒ at retentions of >3600 ppm and >900 ppm (w/w) for Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes, respectively, and thus these wood preservative retention rates may be considered for these termite species. Results of a choice bioassay suggested retention rates of 450-1800 pp...
N-Y Su, R H Scheffrahn


Termite resistance of borate-treated lumber in a three-year above-ground field test in Hawaii
2000 - IRG/WP 00-30236
A protected above-ground field test simulating the sill plate (dodai) used in conventional Japanese housing construction was established in both Hawaii and Japan to examine the efficacy of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT, 2% and 3% shell and through) wood treatments. In Hawaii, chromated copper arsenate (CCA, 4 kg/m3) and ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate (ACZA, 4 kg/m3) were included in the t...
J K Grace, R J Oshiro, A Byrne, P I Morris, K Tsunoda


Borate Protection and Termites: Variation in Protection Thresholds Explained
2006 - IRG/WP 06-20324
Laboratory and field data reported in the literature are confusing with regard to ‘adequate’ protection thresholds for borate timber preservatives against subterranean termites. The confusion is compounded by differences in termite species, timber species and test methodology. Laboratory data indicate a borate retention of 0.5% mass/mass (m/m) boric acid equivalent (BAE) would cause > 90% t...
B C Peters, C J Fitzgerald


The effect of high and low boron soils on foraging termite behaviour and their metabolic systems
2007 - IRG/WP 07-10602
The highest concentrations of boron are found in ground water and soils of some of the driest climate areas (arid and semi arid regions) in the world. This present study examined the various concentrations of boron levels on filter papers against the subterranean termite species Coptotermes from different provenances and different boron soil levels. The termites were presented with no-choice bioas...
B M Ahmed, J R J French, P Vinden


The “wire-loop slicing technique” for the rapid field collection of large numbers of Coptotermes acinaciformis termites from above-ground mound colonies
2006 - IRG/WP 06-10583
This technique of rapidly slicing through an above-ground C. acinaciformis mound colony with a steel wire-loop attached to a vehicle allows the collection of large numbers of termites. The sliced mound topples onto a tarpaulin arranged on the ground, the outer wall layers break away in large segments, and the carton materials incorporating the termites are readily collected and transferred to larg...
B M Ahmed, J R J French


Re-sealing cut ends of envelope-treated softwood framing timber to protect against damage by the Australian subterranean termite Coptotermes acinaciformis: A revisitation
2006 - IRG/WP 06-20335
The claim that Australian Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) do not appear to initiate damage on timber from the end grain, thereby negating the need for treating exposed cut ends of softwood framing material (35 ? 90 mm) which has a repellent Tanalith? T envelope, was further investigated. Specimens of commercial Pinus radiata D.Don framing timber (untreated) and Pinus elliottii Englem. (untrea...
B C Peters, M Lenz, J W Creffield


Performance of borate-treated lumber after 8 years in an above-ground termite field test in Hawaii
2006 - IRG/WP 06-30390
We report eight years of field study results from a protected above-ground field test in Hawaii simulating the sill plate (dodai) used in conventional Japanese housing construction. Field tests were established in both Hawaii and Japan to examine the efficacy of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT, 2% and 3% BAE shell and through) wood treatments. In Hawaii, chromated copper arsenate (CCA, 4 kg...
J K Grace, A Byrne, P I Morris, K Tsunoda


One year performance of graveyard stakes in the Northern Territory of Australia
2006 - IRG/WP 06-30398
This paper presents the one year progress performance of in ground graveyard stakes exposed to numerous termite species and decay fungi in tropical field conditions. The field study examines the efficacy of a new timber preservative formulation developed at the University of Melbourne, Australia. The biocides used in the formulation are fipronil (a phenyl pyrazole) and trimethyl borate. The pre...
B Ahmed, J Hann, S Przewloka, P Vinden, P Blackwell, P Plews


Laboratory bioassay and field trial on imidacloprid and cypermethrin as glueline treatments for softwood plywood
2006 - IRG/WP 06-30405
The effectiveness of imidacloprid and cypermethrin as glueline treatments for protecting phenol formaldehyde (PF)-bonded Pinus radiata (radiata pine) plywood from attack by subterranean termites was evaluated both in the laboratory and field. Imidacloprid was evaluated in two plywood constructions (19 ply x 1.6 mm-thick veneers and 5 ply x 3.2 mm-thick veneers) whereas cypermethrin was evaluated i...
J W Creffield, D K Scown


Termite baiting system: A new dimension of termite control in the Philippines
2007 - IRG/WP 07-10608
The performance of a baiting system and efficacy of an insect growth regulator (IGR), chlorfluazuron, was evaluated against three economically important species of subterranean termites in the Philippines i.e., Coptotermes vastator Light, Microcerotermes losbañosensis Oshima and Macrotermes gilvus Hagen. Preliminary tests were conducted on secondary nests of M. losbañosensis and mounds of M. gil...
C M Garcia, M Y Giron, S G Broadbent


The response of the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) to different boron compounds
2007 - IRG/WP 07-10609
Although boric acid and other boron compounds have been used since the 1800s as insecticides, their mode of action is not well understood. Borate salts, in particular sodium and zinc formulations, are effective wood preservatives and are used extensively in Hawai’i to protect building materials from both drywood (Kalotermitidae) and subterranean (Rhinotermitidae) termites. The Formosan subterra...
M C Gentz, J K Grace


Laboratory evaluation comparing three commercial termite baits based on chitin synthesis inhibitor (CSIs) against the subterranean termites Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) and Mastotermes darwiniensis Froggatt
2007 - IRG/WP 07-10625
This laboratory bioassay report describes laboratory evaluation undertaken to compare the efficacy, and palatability of Requiem®, Nemesis® and Sentricon® AG as candidate bait toxicants against the subterranean termites Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) and Mastotermes darwiniensis Froggatt. The laboratory bioassay results confirmed palatability and efficacy differences between the three comm...
B Ahmed


Foraging Behavior of the Formosan Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Response
2007 - IRG/WP 07-10605
Foragers of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, were allowed to tunnel in two dimensional, sand filled arenas containing Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) wafers pressure treated with disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) to an average retention of 1.77 % BAE on one side of each arena, and untreated wafers of Douglas-fir on the other side. Arenas w...
C E Campora, J K Grace


Determination of the lethal dose of fipronil for workers of Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae
2007 - IRG/WP 07-10616
This document is a combination of two articles previously submitted to the journal, Sociobiology. Lethal dose of fipronil was determined in two experiments: topical application and contact with treated sandy loam. In the topical application the toxicity of fipronil was evaluated against workers of a laboratory colony of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Fipronil was applied by the microsyringe to t...
K Tsunoda, R Yamaoka


Performance of softwood preservative treated stakes after 4 years exposure in-ground to decay fungi and termites in tropical Australia
2008 - IRG/WP 08-10643
This field study was based on the 1993 IUFRO method and designed as a graveyard (in-ground) test in the tropical region of the Northern Territory to examine the efficacy of novel preservative formulations developed as alternative protection for softwood timber against decay fungi and termites for Hazard Class 3 and 4. This study was supported by the Forest and Wood Products Research and Develop...
B M Ahmed (Shiday), J R J French, S R Przewloka, P Vinden, J A Hann, P Blackwell


Performance of sintered glass screening as a potential physical barrier against subterranean termites in the laboratory and after 4 years of field test
2008 - IRG/WP 08-10646
This paper describes the performance of sintered glass screenings as a potential physical barrier against the subterranean termites, Coptotermes acinaciformis and Mastotermes darwiniensis in the laboratory and after four years of field testing in active above-ground mound colonies of Coptotermes lacteus. The laboratory results suggest that sintered glass is a viable control option against Copto...
J R J French, B M Ahmed (Shiday)


Whole-of-house protection from subterranean termite attack and damage after four years of field exposure
2008 - IRG/WP 08-10665
This study reports the condition of the whole-of-house termite protection test in tropical Australia after four years. The study was designed to provide maximum protection to whole-of-house timbers in a natural situation posing the highest hazard from subterranean termite populations. The houses were constructed either on concrete slabs or suspended floors using untreated and treated timber fram...
B M Ahmed (Shiday), J R J French, S R Przewloka, P Vinden, J Hann, C Y Adam


The uses of Molecular techniques in studying Australian subterranean termites Genus Coptotermes
2008 - IRG/WP 08-10669
This study focuses on applying molecular tools in studying the phylogeny of the Coptotermes, especially from the Australian region, by using a combined data set of three mitochondrial genes, viz. 16S, COII, COI, comprising a total of about 2000 base pairs. This study will address these following specific questions: i. Does molecular phylogenetics reveal any new species and show any previously ...
H M Badawi, B M Ahmed (Shiday), J R J French, M P Schwarz


Building with termites: The challenge of biomimetic design for carbon neutral buildings.
2009 - IRG/WP 09-20405
The main aim of this paper is to present humanity and termites as design partners in the creation of a new dimension of ecosystem understanding. “Beyond biomimicry: What termites can tell us about realizing the living building”, Turner and Soar (2008) opens up a new era in how we think of human habitations, not only on earth, but maybe on other planets, and using the termite model as the corne...
J R J French, B M Ahmed (Shiday)


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