Effect of Wood Hardness and Secondary Compounds on Feeding Preference of Odontotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Abstract

Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) (Isoptera: Termitidae) is one of the most destructive plant pests in China, which control relies mainly on baits strategies. Baits made from the wood of eight different tree species were used to study the feeding preference of this termite, and conversely wood protection strategies of the tree species. Three bait types were used to identify wood protection strategies: solid wood (physical and chemical protection), crude flour (chemical protection) made from ground wood, and extracted flour (no protection) made by extracting crude flour with ethanol and toluene. Feeding preference was influenced by wood species and bait type. For solid wood, Magnolia denudata Desr (75%) and Elaeocarpus glabripetalus Merr (41%) were most preferred; for crude flour, E. glabripetalus (97%) and Quercus variabilis Blume (92%) were most preferred; and for extracted flour, there were no significant differences between wood species, demonstrating the influence of chemical defense. The greatest contrast between bait types was for Platanus orientalis L, the least preferred as solid wood and crude flour, suggesting that chemical defense compounds are particularly important in this species. Solid wood consumption was inversely correlated with wood density. Extracted flour consumption was positively correlated with glucose concentration. There was no direct effect of holocellulose and other components tested. O. formosanus preferred to fed on soft wood with low chemical protection (M. denudata); conversely trees protected their wood either physically [e.g., E. glabripetalus, Q. variabilis, Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl, and Ligustrum lucidum Aiton] or chemically (Populus bonati Levl) or a combination of both strategies (Liquidamba formosana Hance and P. orientalis).

Observations of the Biology and Ecology of the Black-Winged Termite,Odontotermes formosanusShiraki (Termitidae: Isoptera), in Camphor,Cinnamomum camphora(L.) (Lauraceae)

“…In a recent study with the blackwinged termite, Kasseney et al [12] found that solid wood consumption was inversely correlated with wood density and positively correlated with glucose concentration. Although camphor had moderately dense wood, it also had the greatest concentration of glucose among the wood species tested [12]. Perhaps feeding on bark allows these termites to avoid the dense solid wood while feeding on more glucose-rich cellulose.…”

“…Laboratory feeding preference studies that compare black-wing termite feeding on camphor and fir are clearly indicated. Many factors including wood density, presence of protective compounds, and concentration of glucose affect black-winged termite feeding preferences [12]. In a recent study with the blackwinged termite, Kasseney et al [12] found that solid wood consumption was inversely correlated with wood density and positively correlated with glucose concentration.…”

“…Many factors including wood density, presence of protective compounds, and concentration of glucose affect black-winged termite feeding preferences [12]. In a recent study with the blackwinged termite, Kasseney et al [12] found that solid wood consumption was inversely correlated with wood density and positively correlated with glucose concentration. Although camphor had moderately dense wood, it also had the greatest concentration of glucose among the wood species tested [12].…”

“…Perhaps feeding on bark allows these termites to avoid the dense solid wood while feeding on more glucose-rich cellulose. Unfortunately, the Kasseney et al [12] study did not use fir as one of the wood choices. Interestingly, there was no preference between camphor and fir wood stakes in this study.…”

Transformação Da Casca De Arroz Em Um Produto De Maior Valor Agregado: Potencial Para a Produção De Painéis Particulados

“…Their high content may decrease surface reaction of the lignocellulosic materials, besides blocking adhesive entering by superficial concentration in high temperatures used during pressing (FRIHART; HUNT, 2010). However, it should be mentioned that besides quantitative variations, extractives also vary in chemical nature and depend on species and environmental conditions (BALLESTEROS et al, 2011;BRÉMAUD et al, 2011;KASSENEY et al, 2011). Therefore, their effect on particleboard production may also vary.…”