Termite Assemblage and Damage on Tree Trunks in Fast-Growing Teak Plantations of Different Age: A Case Study in West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

We conducted surveys of termite assemblages and tree trunks damaged by termites in teakwood (Tectona grandis L.f.) plantations. The surveys were conducted in five-, six-, and nine-year-old plantations. We used a standardized belt-transect to collect termites and build tree inventories. Data of collected termites at the genus and functional-group levels and termites’ diversity between plantations were compared with their attack rate. The results showed that four genera of soil recycler termites belonging to groups IIf and III were present across the plantations. Distribution analysis suggested that termite communities might develop from a stochastic distribution to a nonrandom co-occurrence distribution over time. Diversity analysis showed an increased nestedness-resultant diversity contribution to the total dissimilarity over time. Observed attacks on tree trunks were superficial and limited to the outer bark, with group IIf as the main contributor. Furthermore, the level of damage done by termites to tree trunks was positively correlated with increases in the group IIf occupancy area and overgrown understory vegetation. Plantation management by maintaining an adequate understory might suppress termite attacks on fast-growing teakwood, although in the case of our study, termite attacks are inevitable when termites from group IIf were already present.

Analysis of feed preference of edible termites on selected plants and their crude extract photochemistry.

“…robusta had the highest attraction followed by Eucalyptus and Cypress respectively. Fajar et al, (2021), reported that termites foraged on Eucalyptus. Nakabonge & Matovu, (2021) reported that Eucalyptus species are highly susceptible to termites.…”

Chemical components from the bark layers of Eucalyptus pellita F Muell.

“…The relatively high carbon content in lignin compared to cellulose and hemicellulose causes lignin to have a high energy content. Lignin is a complex phenylpropanoid polymer that has a structural role in plant cell walls while providing hydrophobicity and protection against pathogens [31]. The molecular structure of lignin is different when compared to polysaccharides because it consists of an aromatic system composed of phenylpropane units, namely guaiacyl (G) units from trans-coniferyl alcohol precursors, syringyl (S) units from trans-synapyl alcohol precursors, and p-hydroxypenyl (H) of the trans-p-coumaril alcohol precursor [32].…”

Non-destructive detection of tree deterioration due to termite attack in plant conservation areas

“…Termites are destructive insects that attack trees. The termite genera of Macrotermes, Microtermes, Odontotermes, and Coptotermes frequently attack trees [8,9]. The Coptotermes group's reputation as a significant termite pest in Indonesia was well-known [10].…”