Comparative Study of the Resistance of Six Hawaii-Grown Bamboo Species to Attack by the Subterranean Termites Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract

Bamboo is widely grown and utilized as a construction material around the world, particularly in the tropics. At present, there are about 70 bamboo species and varieties recorded from Hawaii. The objective of our study was to determine the relative resistance of six Hawaii-grown bamboo species to attack by Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann). Four-week laboratory feeding trials were performed as described in standard E1-09 of the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA 2009). Samples of each of the six bamboo species were individually exposed to 200 termites (with 10% soldiers); and termite mortality, wood mass loss, and visual appearance of the samples (on a scale of 0–10) were recorded at the conclusion of the trail. Mean mass losses of the six species as a result of termite feeding ranged from 13–29%; with the two most resistant bamboo species, Gigantocholoa pseudoarundinacea and Bambusa oldhamii, demonstrating significantly greater resistance to termite attack than the most susceptible bamboo species, Guadua anguistifolia, with both termite species. Dendrocalamus brandisii, Dendrocalamus latiflorus, and Bambusa hirose were intermediate in their termite resistance. Overall, we observed very little difference in wood preference between C. formosanus and C. gestroi. Although bamboo is a very promising construction material, and species clearly differ in their susceptibility to termite attack, all six species evaluated in the present study would require additional protection for use under conditions of high termite pressure.

A natural ancestral saltwater treatment to modify the technological properties of date palms

“…This result can be explained by the followings: b The high proportion of Silica contained into the treated palm wood influence termite damage and plays a significant role in its termite resistance (Dhawan et al, 2007). b High ash content reduces the food value of wood for termites because it is not absorbed in the gut body and passes through (Hapukotuwa and Grace, 2011). b Some minerals in wood can have a toxic effect on the pests or disturb their physiology (Doi et al, 1998;Kneip et al, 2007).…”

Assessment of Genetic Markers for the Determination ofCoptotermes formosanus×Coptotermes gestroi(Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) F1 Hybrids

“…Although both species exhibited similar feeding preferences for different types of lumber (Hapukotuwa and Grace 2011a) and bamboo (Hapukotuwa and Grace 2011b), C. gestroi was found to have a slower feeding rate than C. formosanus (Uchima and Grace 2003b). Coptotermes gestroi also suffers greater mortality than C. formosanus under desiccating conditions (Shelton and Grace 2003).…”

Susceptibility of Coconut Wood to Damage by Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Mastotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae)

“…Bamboo is also widely grown and used as a construction material around the world (Hapukotuwa and Grace 2011). Bamboo, like cocowood, belongs to the grass family.…”

“…No previous work has evaluated the natural resistance of cocowood to termite attack in field trials. However the natural resistance of a variety of bamboo species to feeding by subterranean termites has been evaluated in laboratory and field trials (Hapukotuwa and Grace 2011;Lifang et al 2010;Okahisa et al 2006;Mishra and Rana 1992). In contrast to true wood it was found that overall the natural durability of bamboo is not closely related to density, with many specimens lasting less than 2 years in a field exposure (Lifang et al 2010).…”