The current study was conducted to evaluate the resistance of four wood species (_Azadirachta indica_, _Pinus roxberghii_, _Dalbergia sissoo_ and _Populus deltoides_) against subterranean termite species _Coptotermes heimi_ by choice and no choice field and laboratory trials. Of these four wood species  _P. roxberghii_ and  _D. sissoo_ proved to be most resistant to termite attack. Taken together these results we can conclude that _D. sissoo_ is the least preferred and _P. deltoides_ is the most preferred wood by the _C. heimi_. The data obtained from the field choice and no-choice the woods are arranged in order of preference DS&#x3e;PR&#x3e;AI&#x3e;PD whereas in laboratory choice and no-choice trials the order of preference was PD&#x3e;AI&#x3e;PR&#x3e;DS

Asma  Zawar

Farkhanda  Manzoor

Nadeem Sheikh

English

Nature Precedings

Laboratory and Field Evaluation for the Resistance of commonly 
used woods against Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann) 
Farkhanda Manzoor
1*
, Nadeem Sheikh
2
 and Asma Zawar
1
 
1
Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan 
2
Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan. 
*Corresponding Author; doc_farkhanda@yahoo.com 
ABSTRACT 
The current study was conducted to evaluate the resistance of four wood species 
(Azadirachta indica, Pinus roxberghii, Dalbergia sissoo and Populus deltoides) against 
subterranean termite species Coptotermes heimi by choice and no choice field and laboratory 
trials. Of these four wood species P. roxberghii and D. sissoo proved to be most resistant to 
termite attack. Taken together these results we can conclude that D. sissoo is the least preferred 
and P. deltoides is the most preferred wood by the C. heimi. The data obtained from the field 
choice and no-choice the woods are arranged in order of preference DS>PR>AI>PD whereas in 
laboratory choice and no-choice trials the order of preference was PDAIPRDS. 
Key words: Coptotermes heimi, wood resistance, feeding preference, visual rating. 
Introduction 
In Pakistan, wood is an essential component of the residential as well as commercial 
constructions. However the durability of the woods has not yet been tested with specific concern 
to termite attack. Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann) is widely distributed termite species throughout 
Pakistan (Chaudhry, 1972). This species has been recorded damaging the living trees of Shishum 
(Dalbergia sissoo), toot (Morus alba), and popular (Populus deltoides). This species not only attacks 
the wooden logs and wooden installation but it also infest the standing living to an extent where 
the trees become hollow completely. In Peshawar, a wooden bridge was found seriously infested 
by this termite (Sen-Sarma, 1975).  
Natural durability of the woods is classified in different ways around the globe. The 
heartwood of many timber species is resistant to biological breakdown to some extent which is 
referred as natural durability that may add to the wood resistance to decay, marine usage, 
termites or other insects (Stirling, 2009; Willeitner and Peek, 1997). 
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the resistance of four different woods of 
commercial importance i.e. Dalbergia sissoo, Azadirachta indica, Populus deltoides and Pinus 
roxberghii against subterranean termite C. heimi in field as well as laboratory trials.  
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
Field trials 
The woods (Dalbergia sissoo, Azadirachta indica, Populus deltoides and Pinus 
roxberghii) used for the study were purchased from the commercial timber market. The field test 
was conducted at Lahore College for Women University and Jallo forest park (Eastern part of 
Lahore). For field trials each wood was cut into 2cm×2cm×2cm (L×R×T) dimensions, oven 
dried for 24h at 60°C and weighed prior to trial. For Choice feeding trials, the wooden blocks 
were arranged in a group of four woods, tied with copper wire and installed in the experimental 
area in triplicates at a depth of 15-20cm below the surface of the soil. The replicates were 
installed at a distance of 2m from each other. After one month the experimental setups were 
recovered from the soil, cleaned, oven dried and re-weighed to determine the mass loss. In 
addition, wood specimens were visually rated according to the (AWPA, 1997): and was graded 
from 10(sound, surface nibbles permitted), 9 (light attack), 7 (moderate attack), 4 (heavy attack), 
or 0 (failure). For choice field trials, the blocks were prepared as for the choice trials except that 
three same wooden blocks were tied together so as the termites will have no choice of the food 
and were installed in the soil at 15-20sm depth 2m apart from each other  
Laboratory trails 
Workers and soldiers of C. heimi were collected from the Lahore College University 
Campus and maintained in the laboratory for 24h prior to use. The moribund termites were 
removed and only active termites were used for the laboratory trials. For no-choice laboratory 
trials wooden blocks were prepared as described above and placed in the center of the glass Petri 
dish (15×90mm) above a sterile moist filter paper. One hundred workers and twenty soldiers 
were added to the dish. The moisture was maintained in the dishes by monitoring the moisture of 
the filter papers. The experimental setups were maintained in triplicates. The experimental setup 
was maintained at 26
o
C for 14 days. After 14 days the blocks were removed, dried and re-
weighed to calculate the amount of wood consumed and percentage termite mortality was 
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recorded. Mean visual rating was recorded as described above with 10 (sound, surface nibbles 
permitted) to 4 (heavy attack). For choice laboratory trials the experimental setups were prepared 
as for no-choice test with the difference that instead of one, two different wooden blocks were 
placed in the same Petri dish.  
Statistical analysis 
The data obtained was analyzed by One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post test using GraphPad 
Prism version 5.03 for Windows, GraphPad Software, San Diego California USA, 
www.graphpad.com”. 
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 
The data obtained from the current study are presented as mean mass loss due to termite 
activity, mean visual rating to describe the extent of wood damage caused by the termite and 
percentage mortality of the termites in laboratory trials.  
In choice field trials P. roxberghii was very resistant (VR) with 10 visual rating, A. indica 
was resistant (R) with 9 visual rating, D. sissoo was moderately resistant (MR) with 7 visual 
rating and P. deltoides was susceptible (S) to termite attack. One way ANOVA revealed that 
mean mass loss of different woods are significantly different from one another (F=7.850; 
P<0.001; Table 1).  
In no-choice field trial D. sissoo was found to be very resistant (VR), the wood of P. 
roxberghii is resistant (R), the wood of A. indica is moderate resistant (MR) and P. deltoides is 
susceptible (S) to termite attack. This visual rating was based on the mean mass loss of the 
woods as a result of termite activity with maximum loss is for P. deltoides is (10615.2 mg) and 
least for D. sissoo (13.05.7 mg). From the data obtained in no-choice field trial the order of 
preference as food for C. heimi is PDAIPRDS. One way ANOVA with Tyukey’s test 
revealed that mean mass losses of different woods are significantly different from each (F=7.617; 
P<0.001; Table 2).  
In choice laboratory trials the woods were arranged in pairs; D. sissoo/P. deltoids and A. 
indica/P. roxberghii. The data obtained in choice trial has shown that P. deltoides was 
susceptible (S) to termite attack and was preferred over D. sissoo which was rated as very 
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resistant (VR) to termite attack. The maximum loss was observed for D. sissoo (36.07.23) and 
the least loss was for P. deltoides (6.00.57). A. indica was preferred over P. roxberghii in the 
laboratory choice trial and P. roxberghii was rated as resistant to termite attack with 9 visual 
rating and A. indica was rated moderately resistant with 7 visual rating. From the data obtained 
we can conclude that D. sissoo was preferred by the termite over P. deltoids whereas P. 
roxberghii was preferred over A. indica. The order of resistance determined from the MVR was 
DS>PD and PR>AI. One way ANOVA has revealed that mass loss was significantly different 
for different woods when compared with each other (F=7.860; P<0.001; Table 4) 
In no-choice laboratory trial of the wood preference, the percentage mortality of C. heimi 
was 50.00, 68.5, 75.5 and 80.00 % for P. deltoids (PD), A. indica (AI), P. roxberghii (PR) and D. 
sissoo (DS) respectively. The mean mass loss indicated the maximum mass loss of P. deltoides 
(41.64.93 mg) and the least mass loss was for D. sisso (6.62.51 mg). From the data obtained 
we can conclude that D. sissoo is the least preferred and P. deltoides is the most preferred wood 
for C. heimi and the order of preference in no choice laboratory trial is PD AI  PR DS. One 
way ANOVA revealed that means of different woods were significantly different from one 
another (F=19.66; P<0.001; Table 4).  
In laboratory trials termite mortality was recorded. The highest mortality was observed 
with D. sissoo and the lowest with P. deltoids. The high mortality rates with D. sissoo and P. 
roxberghii could be attributed to the natural texture of the woods and their chemical constituents. 
Dalbergia sissoo was very resistance to attack by termite Odontotermes obesus (Akhtar and Ali, 
1979). Extractive content of the woods determine the resistance of the wood against the 
damaging agents (Martawijaya, 1996). 
The data supports an early report that natural resistance of the wood to termite attack is 
related with higher specific gravity of the wood species (Esenther, 1977; Peralta et al. 2004). D. 
sissoo has high specific gravity (0.572) and is highly resistant. The woods used for the current 
study have an economic importance and damage caused to these woods may lead to significant 
decline in the revenue that could be generated by intelligent use of these woods. Neem is a 
source of environment-friendly biopesticide. Neem extract is used in sprays against fleas in cats 
and dogs (Ganguli, 2002). Populus is used in match manufacture, rural house construction, pulp 
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and paper industry (Siddiqui et al. 1996). Pine oil has irritant action with medicinal importance. 
(Hussain, 1987 and Nunes et al. 2004). Therefore, it is of utmost importance that significant 
steps should be taken to protect the woods and wooden structures from the termite attack. 
REFERENCES 
1. Anonymous. 1981. Encyclopedia Britannica. ACSH Publishers, Scurlock Tirah.  
2. Akhtar, M. S. and Ali, S. S. 1979. Wood preferences and survival of Coptotermes heimi 
(Wasman) and Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) Isoptera. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 11(2): 
303-314 
3. AWPA. 1997. Standard method for laboratory evaluation to determine resistance to 
subterranean termites. Standard E1-97. American Wood Preservers’ Association. 279-282. 
4. Chaudhry, I. M. and Ahmad, M. 1972. Termites of Pakistan,Identify,Distribution and 
Ecological Relationships. Final Technical Report.Pakistan Forest Institute.Peshawar, 
Pakistan.13-19.  
5. Esenther, G. R. 1977. Nutritive supplement method to evaluate resistance of natural or 
preservative wood to subterranean termites. Journal of Economic Entomology, 70:341-346. 
6. Ganguli, S. 2002. Neem: A Therapeutic for all seasons. Current Science, 82(11):1304. 
7. Hussain, M. 1987. Medicinal Plants of Mansehra. M.Sc. thesis, Botany Department 
University of Peshawar. 174.  
8. Kuriachan, I. and Gold, R. E. 1998. Evaluation of the ability of Reticuletermes flavipes a 
subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae to differentiate between termiticide treated 
and untreated soils in laboratory tests. Sociobiology, 32:151-166.  
9. Martawijaya, A. 1996. Keanwetan Kayu dan Faktor Yang Mempengaruhinya. Petunjuk 
Teknis. Pust. Penelitian dan Pengembangan Hasil Hutan dan Sosial Ekonomi . Kehutanan 
10. Nunes, L., Nobre, T., Gigante, B. and Silver, A. M. 2004.Toxicity of pine resin derivatives to 
subterranean termites isoptera: Rhinotermitidae. Management of Environment Quality and 
International Journal, 15: 521-528. 
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11. Peralta, R. C. G., Menezes, B., Carvalho, A. G. and Aguiar, M. 2004. Wood consumption 
rates of forest species by subterranean termites under field conditions. Sociedade de 
Investigacoes Florestais, 28:283-289 
12. Sen-Sarma, P. K. 1975. Studies on wood destroying termites in relation to natural termite 
resistance of timber. Final Technical report.Forest Research Institute and colleges,Dehra Dun 
(India).27-29.  
13. Siddiqui, M. K., Ayaz, M. and Mahmood, I .1996. Properties and uses of Pakistani Timbers. 
Forest products research division. Pakistan Forest Institute, Peshawar, Pakistan. 26-73. 
14. Stirling, R. 2009. Natural Durability Classification Systems Used Around the World. The 
International Research Group on Wood Protection. Document No. IRG/WP 09-10694, pp. 1-10. 
15. Willeitner, H. and Peek, R. D. 1997. The natural durability story. International Research 
Group on Wood Preservation. Document No. IRG/WP 97-20119, pp. 1-14.  
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Table 1: Results of mean visual rating and mean mass loss of four woods against C .heimi 
after one month exposure in no choice field trial. 
Wood species Common name Mean visual rating Mean mass loss g(meanSE) 
D. sissoo (DS) Shishum 10(VR)
(i)
 13
a5.7 
P. roxberghii (PR) Pinus 9(R) 26
b11.5 
A. indica (AI) Neem 7 (MR) 53
c37.8 
P. deltoides (PD) Poplar 4 (S) 106
d15.2 
 
Table2: Results of mean visual rating and mean mass loss of four wood species against C. 
heimi after one month exposure in choice field trials. 
Wood species Mean Visual rating (MVR) Mean Mass loss (mg) (Mean±SE) 
D. sissoo/ P. deltoides 7/4 (MR/S) 23.35.77b/13010b(ii) 
P. roxberghii / A. 
indica 
10/9(VR/R) 26.65.77a/ 7026.4c 
 
Table 3: Results of mean visual rating and mean mass loss of four wood species against C. 
heimi after 14 days exposure in no choice laboratory trial. 
Wood species 
Common 
name 
Visual 
rating 
Mean mass loss (mg) 
(meanse) 
Percentage 
mortality 
P. deltoids (PD) Poplar 4 (S) 41.64.93a 50 
A. indica (AI) Neem 7 (MR) 24.610.6b 68.5 
P. roxberghii (PR) Pinus 9(R) 12.63.2c 75.5 
D. sissoo (DS) Shishum 10(VR) 6.62.51d 80 
 
Table 4: Results of mean visual rating and mean mass loss of four woods against C .heimi 
after 14 days exposure in choice laboratory trials.  
Wood species 
Pair of wooden 
blocks 
Mean visual 
rating 
Mean mass loss (mg) (MeanSE) 
D. sissoo/P. deltoids DS/PD 10/4(VR/ S) 367.23a/60.577a 
P. roxberghii/A. indica PR/AI 9/7(R /MR) 8.37.76b/277.21b 
 
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 Figure 1: Choice, No-choice field trial (A, B), Mean visual rating (A,C) and Choice, No-choice laboratory trials 
(D, E) and Mean visual rating (D,F) of four different woods used in the current study and exposed to 
Coptotermes heimi for 30 days (field trials) and 14 days (laboratory trials). The order of preference for food 
source determined by mean mass loss and mean visual rating was DS>PR>AI>PDiii as determined in choice 
field trials (A). In no-choice assay the order of preference was PD>AI>PR>DS as determined from the mean 
mass loss (B) whereas the mean visual rating was PR>AI>DS>PD (C). For laboratory choice assay the order of 
preference as food source was PD>AI>PR>DS as determined by mean mass loss and %age mortality (D). In 
no-choice assay the order of preference was DS>AI>PR>PD as determined from the mean mass loss (E) 
whereas the mean visual rating was DS>PR>AI>PD (F). 
                                                          
i
 : MR moderate resistant, R: resistant, VR: Very resistant, S: susceptible 
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ii
 Means followed by different letters within column indicates the significance level of the means (P 0.001). 
iii
 D. sissoo, P. roxberghii. A. indica, P. deltoids 
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Evaluation of the ability of Reticuletermes flavipes a subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae to differentiate between termiticide treated and untreated soils in laboratory tests.

Keanwetan Kayu dan Faktor Yang Mempengaruhinya. Petunjuk Teknis. Pust. Penelitian dan Pengembangan Hasil Hutan dan Sosial Ekonomi .

Medicinal Plants of Mansehra.

Natural Durability Classification Systems Used Around the World.

Neem: A Therapeutic for all seasons.

Nutritive supplement method to evaluate resistance of natural or preservative wood to subterranean termites.

Properties and uses of Pakistani Timbers. Forest products research division.

Termites of Pakistan,Identify,Distribution and Ecological Relationships. Final Technical Report.Pakistan Forest Institute.Peshawar,

The natural durability story. International Research Group on Wood Preservation.

Wood consumption rates of forest species by subterranean termites under field conditions. Sociedade de Investigacoes Florestais,

Wood preferences and survival of Coptotermes heimi (Wasman) and Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) Isoptera.

Laboratory and field evaluation for the resistance of commonly used woods against _Coptotermes heimi_ (Wasmann).

http://precedings.nature.com/documents/4485/version/1

Laboratory and field evaluation for the resistance of commonly used woods against _Coptotermes heimi_ (Wasmann).

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