Technical Note: Feeding Rate as a Consideration Factor for Successful Termite Wood Preference Tests

The percent weight loss (%WL) of a wood sample and termite mortality are indicators of termite wood preference. WL is apparently affected by wood density, even though the same WL values for wood of different densities provide different amounts of wood mass loss. Feeding rate is also a factor for interpreting the results of termite wood preference tests. The wood species used for this study were sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria), pulai (Peronema sp.), and mindi (Melia azedarach), which had densities of 273, 302, and 434 kg·m-3, respectively. Samples of wood from each species were tested against the subterranean termite (Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren) according to the Indonesian standard SNI 01-7207-2006. The WL for sengon, pulai, and mindi were 37.3, 36.4, and 10.3%, respectively; termite mortality was 24.2, 18.8, and 61.3%, respectively; and the daily feeding rates were 270, 132, and 42 μg per termite, respectively. The resistance class relative to the Indonesian standard was V for sengon and pulai and III for mindi. Higher wood density among these three species tended to be more resistant to subterranean termite attack, as indicated by a lower wood WL, higher termite mortality, and lower termite feeding rate