This study evaluated the termite susceptibility of Papua New Guinea (PNG) balsa (Ochroma pyramidale) against Australia’s most economically important wood-destroying termite species, Coptotermes acinaciformis. Samples of envelope treated PNG balsa with the insecticide bifenthrin and non-treated balsa, radiata pine (Pinus radiata) sapwood and southern blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) heartwood were exposed to seven different colonies of C. acinaciformis at a field site in the Northern Territory, Australia. The results indicated that balsa is susceptible to termite attack, with a mean mass loss of 30.9 % (range 3.8 – 99.9 %). Mean mass losses for radiata pine and southern blue gum were 90.3 and 98.9 % respectively. It was evident that balsa can be successfully protected from termite attack with envelope-treatments of bifenthrin, with the latter proving to be highly efficacious at mass/volume retentions much lower than those specified in AS 1604.1 and typically used in the Australian timber preservation industry.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Ochroma pyramidale, balsa, Coptotermes acinaciformis, bifenthrin, termite-susceptibility
Research Division:	Engineering
Research Group:	Materials engineering
Research Field:	Timber, pulp and paper
Objective Division:	Construction
Objective Group:	Construction materials performance and processes
Objective Field:	Timber materials
UTAS Author:	Kotlarewski, NJ (Dr Nathan Kotlarewski)
UTAS Author:	Derikvand, M (Mr Mohammad Derikvand)
UTAS Author:	Lee, M (Mr Michael Lee)
UTAS Author:	Nolan, G (Professor Gregory Nolan)
ID Code:	130018
Year Published:	2019
Funding Support:	Australian Research Council (IC150100004)
Deposited By:	Architecture and Design
Deposited On:	2019-01-06
Last Modified:	2020-01-03
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