The Efficacy of Pine Wood Pellets reinforced with Active Hexaflumuron Against the Subterranian Termite Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren

Abstract Bait formulation using hexaflumuron is the most used baiting techniques because it is relatively friendly to the environment. One of the potential wood species for bait formulation for termites is pine wood. The resin in pine wood can reduce termites preference. Therefore, the resin contained in pine wood needs to be reduced so that the level of termites preference for pine wood can be increased. This study aims to determine the efficacy of the bait formulation in the form of pellets from pine wood (Pinus merkusii Jungh er de Vries) which was pre-treated with presto (0.4 bar, 100 °C) for one, two, three, four, and five hours with active hexaflumuron (0.25%) against subterranean termites Coptotermes curvignathus. Pine wood chips were treated with presto for one hour, two hours, three hours, four hours, and five hours. The treated pine wood chips then made into sawdust by 40-60 mesh. Pine sawdust then added with hexaflumuron (0.25%) and formed into pellets without adding any adhesive material and then fed to the subterranean termites C. curvignathus (JIS K 1571: 2010). Solid pine wood used as a control sample. The result showed that palatability of formulation pellet bait with active hexaflumuron (14.33%) was higher than solid pine wood (6.58%). The formulation of pellet bait with 0.25% active hexaflumuron with presto pre-treatment was able to eliminate C. curvignathus termites.</jats:p

The daytime indoor and outdoor temperatures of the subterranean termite Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) tunnel

Abstract The termite’s life cycle is affected by weather conditions, including temperature. To keep its activities safe from any direct light, termites design tunnels to hide. This research aims to analyze the temperature subterranean termite tunnel Coptotermes curvignathus inside and outside the room. Tunnel temperature measurement was carried out by thermocouple tool. The research was conducted at Forest Products Research and Development Center, Gunung Batu, Bogor. The results showed that the temperature in the tunnel’s indoor ranged between 25.8 - 34.1 °C while temperatures in the tunnel’s outdoor ranged between 25.0 - 32.7 °C. The tunnel’s indoor temperature was 0.8 °C to 1.4 °C warmer than the tunnel’s outdoor temperature, while the surrounding’s indoor temperature was 0.2 °C warmer than the surrounding’s outdoor temperature.</jats:p

Bioactivities of catechin from gambir (Uncaria gambir Roxb.) against wood-decaying fungi

Gambir is one of the most economically important natural products of Indonesia. Indonesia accounts for 80% of the global exports of this product. The product contains catechin, a phenolic compound of the flavonoid group, which has demonstrated bioactivity against horticulture-destroying fungi. However, its bioactivity in controlling wood-decaying fungi has not yet been reported. A laboratory study was conducted to examine the characteristics of the catechin of gambir and its bioactivity against the wood-decaying fungi Schizophylum commune Fr. Extraction of catechin from gambir was conducted via a gradual maceration process using hot water (70 °C, 3 h) followed by ethyl acetate (1:10 w/v, 4 h). The chemical components of catechin were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS), while its bioactivity against S. commune was examined according to EN 113 (1986). The results showed that there were five chemical components in catechins, i.e., 1,2-benzenediol, catechol, 1,3,5-benzenetriol, dimethyl terephphtalate, and terephthalic acid. These compounds demonstrated the ability to remarkably inhibit the growth of S. commune.</jats:p

Potential of Dioscorea bulbifera L. as a bio-insecticide in controlling dry wood termites (Cryptotermes cynocephalus Ligh.)

Abstract Currently, chemical control techniques prevent termite attacks, but these chemicals’ effects are concerning because they negatively impact human health and the environment. Therefore, pest control is focused on alternative insecticides that are effective, selective, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. Several secondary metabolites from the methanolic extract of Dioscorea bulbifera leaves have insecticidal activities. This study aimed to examine the potential of D. bulbifera extract as a bio-insecticide in controlling dry-wood termites (Cryptotermes cynocephalus Light.). The study was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with seven treatments and three replications. The treatment in this study was a combination of concentration and source of D. bulbifera extract. Parameters observed were termite mortality, weight loss percentage of the paper disc, and damage degree. Based on the One-Way ANOVA test at a 5% significance level, the treatment had a significant effect on mortality but had no significant effect on the weight loss percentage and the degree of damage. A concentration of 50% from D. bulbifera extract leaves was able to control dry wood termites with mortality of 70.97%., a weight loss percentage of 33.88%, and a degree of damage of 65.05%. This result indicates that D. bulbifera has the potential as a bio-insecticide in controlling dry wood termites.</jats:p

Host range of Exallomochlus hispidus (Morrison) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in West Java, Indonesia

Abstract Exallomochlus hispidus (Morrison) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a polyphagous mealybug with a wide host range. Many of them are fruits that have high economic value and potential export commodities. In addition, E. hispidus is a quarantine pest so that its presence can be an export barrier. The purposive sampling method were used to take plant samples. Host plants were sampled in 4 districts in Bogor, Sukabumi, Purwakarta, and Garut, West Java. Mealybugs and their host plants were put in a paper bag and taken to the laboratory. Adult female mealybugs were prepared microscopically for identification. Results showed that E. hispidus was found on 31 species of 18 families. Most of the hosts were fruit crops 54.84% and at least medicinal plant and weed 3.23%. The major host plants are fruit crops including cocoa, duku, rambutan, sapodilla, soursop, mangosteen and lemon. The part of the plant which is inhabited by E. hispidus mostly is on the fruit and the least on the stem. The results of this study were expected to provide information on the host range of E. hispidus so that it can be prevented from spreading and proper control is taken.</jats:p

Bagworms in Indonesian Plantation Forests: Species Composition, Pest Status, and Factors That Contribute to Outbreaks

The role of plantation forests will become more important in the future, along with the increasing demand for wood. However, pest infestation problems may represent significant obstacles to the development of sustainable forest plantations. Bagworms are one of the most important pests in Indonesian plantation forests. Outbreaks of bagworms have occurred in different tree species for wood or non-wood resources. This paper presents the first review of bagworms in Indonesian plantation forests. This review presents the diversity of bagworms, their pest status, and the factors affecting the outbreaks. More than 70 bagworm species were recorded in Indonesia, which is higher than the species richness recorded in neighboring countries. The subfamily Oiketicinae has the highest number of species, followed by Typhoniinae and Taleporiinae. The highest bagworm richness has been recorded in Western Indonesia, except for Papua, where many new species have recently been described. More than 10 species of bagworms have been reported as pests in Indonesian forest trees. Pteroma plagiophleps is currently considered the most important pest in the forestry sector because of the wide range of forest trees used as hosts. Bagworm outbreaks have been reported in forest trees since 1924. The first outbreak occurred only in pines in Sumatra. Currently, outbreaks occur in more host plants and on other islands. Bagworm outbreaks are influenced by multiple factors, such as the biology of the bagworms, their host plants and natural enemies, climate, and silvicultural practices.</jats:p