The population of South Jakarta, a city within the Province of Jakarta Capital Region, is increasing annually, and the development of land into building causes termite diversity loss. The aim of this research was to determine the diversity of subterranean termite species and their distribution in South Jakarta and to evaluate the soil profile termite habitat. This study was conducted in South Jakarta and was carried out at four residential areas representing four randomly selected sub-districts. Specimens were collected with a baiting system. At each residence, as many as 25–30 stakes of pine wood (Pinus merkusii) sized 2 cm × 2 cm × 46 cm were placed for termite sampling. Soil samples were also collected from each residence for testing of their texture, pH, soil water content, and C-organic. Three species of subterranean termites were identified, including Coptotermes curvignathus, Microtermes insperatus, and Macrotermes gilvus, with area-specific variations in occurrence. The soil and weather conditions in the studied areas provided suitable habitat for termites, and M. insperatus was the most commonly found species.

Recently, the architectural and physical properties of the fungus comb from subterranean termite Macrotermes gilvus Hagen (Isoptera: Termitidae) mounds had been studied and it is important to determine its chemical profile as well as to evaluate its anti-staining-fungi activity. The results showed that fungus comb of M. gilvus has a high crude ash (30.57%), fiber (25.46%), starch (7.76%), protein (5.80%, 5.53% amino acid), acid-insoluble ash (3.45%), and fat (0.73%). It also contained phenol hydroquinone, steroids, terpenoids, and saponin compounds. Seventeen amino acids were identified via high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, of which arginine, leucine, glutamate, and aspartic acid were the majority. According to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, the n-hexane extract consists of several types of fatty acid derivatives. Meanwhile, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts were primarily phenol groups with 1,2,3-propanetriol (glycerol) at the highest relative concentration. Four fungus-comb extracts (n-hexane, EtOAc, MeOH, and water) inhibited the Aspergillus foetidus fungus, with inhibition rates ranging from 24.17% to 100% and EtOAc extract as the most active extract. It appears that EtOAc extracts from the M. gilvus fungus comb can be considered an active ingredient source of novel organic fungicide in preventing wood-staining fungi attacks on susceptible wood.

Abstract. Kusumawardhani DT, Nandika D, Karlinasari L, Arinana, Batubara I. 2021. Architectural and physical properties of fungus comb from subterranean termite Macrotermes gilvus (Isoptera: Termitidae) mound. Biodiversitas 22: 1627-1634. Subterranean termite Macrotermes gilvus Hagen (Isoptera; Termitidae) is the most widely distributed termite species in Indonesia. This termite species has a unique habit of making fungus comb inside their nest. The fungus comb is a growth substrate for Termitomyces fungi, which provides a nutrient source for the termite. However, there is a lack of scientific information regarding the architecture and physical properties of fungus combs of M. gilvus. A study was conducted to determine the architecture and physical properties of fungus combs of M. gilvus found in Yanlappa Experimental Forest, Bogor, West Java Province, Indonesia. The fungus combs were collected from six of twenty-two nests of M. gilvus found in the rectangular sample plot (150 x 250 m) in the area. The results showed that the fungus comb of M. gilvus was brain-shaped with 44.17 ± 7.36 cm3 in volume and had burrows that interconnected from the surface (6.20 ± 1.06 mm in diameter) to the base of the fungus comb structure (4.32 ± 0.91 mm in diameter). The burrows were interconnected with each other to support cross-ventilation in the fungus comb. White nodules of Termitomyces fungi were found in the fungus comb. Architecturally, the fungus comb consisted of two structural parts, namely fresh comb on the upper part and old comb on the lower part of the fungus comb. The fresh comb possessed a larger volume (48.33 ± 2.89 cm3) and smoother texture (177.88-977.50 nm) than the old comb (40.00 ± 8.66 cm3, 407.49-6762.62 nm). The fresh comb had a larger volume (48.33 ± 2.89 cm3) than the old comb (40.00 ± 8.66 cm3). It was also found a smoother texture in the fresh comb (177.88-977.50 nm) than in the old comb (407.49-6762.62 nm). In terms of color, the fresh comb was darker (reddish) than the old comb (yellowish white). In addition, the density of the old comb was higher (0.87 ± 0.11 g/cm3) than the fresh comb (0.77 ± 0.13 g/cm3) so that the old comb was able to function as a strong foundation for fungus comb.

The objective of this study was to evaluate various physical and mechanical properties of experimental particleboard panels made from Asian giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper). Single layer panels having a density level of 0.75 g/cm3 from coarse and fine particles were used within the scope of this study. Thickness swelling, water absorption, surface roughness, and wettability characteristics of the samples were tested as physical properties while bending, internal bond strength, and screw withdrawal strength of the panels were considered for their mechanical properties. Resistance of the panels against termite and fungus were also determined. Based on the findings in the work both physical and mechanical properties of the panels made from coarse particles resulted in higher values than those made from fine particles with the exception of their internal bond strength. It appears that using fine particles in the panels enhanced their overall surface quality as well as wettability. Regarding biological deterioration of the samples, those made with coarse particles had better resistance. It seems that giant bamboo as a non-wood lignocellulosic species would have potential to be used as raw material to the manufacture value added particleboard with accepted characteristics.

Abstract. Ariana, Fannani AR, Nandika D, Haneda NF. 2020. Field test on the palatability of the subterranean termites to pine wood with various treatments. Biodiversitas 21: 5763-5771. One of the keys to successfully determining the subterranean termite species' diversity in an area is using wood samples of their preference. This research aimed to evaluate the palatability of the subterranean termites to pine wood (Pinus merkusii) with boiling, steaming, hot vapor pressure, and oven treatments in the Arboretum of the Faculty of Forestry, IPB University, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, and to analyze the species and the distribution of the subterranean termites that attacked the samples. The wood samples were 2 cm x 2 cm x 46 cm in size (ASTM D 1758-06). The steaming (100°C), boiling (100°C), and hot vapor pressure (1 bar, 105°C) treatments were carried out for five hours, while the oven treatment (103±2°C) was set up for 48 hours. Wood samples without treatment were also prepared as a control. After the treatments, all the samples were air-dried, sanded, weighed, and installed in the research location. The results showed that four subterranean termite species, i.e., Schedorhinotermes sp., Microtermes sp., Capritermes sp., and Macrotermes sp, were found attacking the wood samples. The highest attack frequency and the highest damage intensity were found in wood samples with hot vapor pressure treatment. Based on the scoring, the preeminent treatment for the wood samples was the hot vapor pressured treatment.