Determination of Resistance of Woods against Subterranean Termites by Laboratory Tests Using Indonesian and Japanese Standards

Abstract

Standard testing of wood wood-based products against subterranean termite in Indonesia SNI 01.7207-2006 has no requirements of control (reference) wood species. The present research is related to the selection ofa control (reference) wood species from the Indonesian community woods, although Indonesian community woods is known to be perishable to subterranean termites. Comparative laboratory evaluation was conducted by two methods, SN1 01.7207-2006 and ns K 1571-2004 using Coplolermes formosanus. Species of community woods were Acacia mangium, Hevea brasiliensis, Paraserianthes [a/cataia and Pinus merkusii. Cryptomeria japonica which is a reference wood species in ns standard, was included in the test for comparison. Percentage mass loss, tennite mortality, and wood feeding rates were measured to discuss relative tennite-resistance of 5 wood species. The highest mean percentage mass losses were recorded with P. merkusii at 25.4% and 16.8%, respectively in SNI and ns tests, whereas those of C. japonica were 42.1% and 21.8%. The lowest mortalities were al so recorded with P. merkusii ie, 9% and 7%. Feeding rates determined with P. merkusii were 79 and 95 flg/termite/day, respectively in SNI and ns tests. These results strongly suggested that P. merkusii was most suitable for a control (reference) wood species in Indonesian standard SNI 01.7207-2006.