Transcript Wood Destroying Insects - The Ohio State University

Wood Destroying Insects
Potentially Important to a
Violin Maker
Ben Stinner, Ph.D.
The Ohio State University,
Ohio Agricultural Research &
Development Center (OARDC)
Wooster, OH
[From materials developed by D. J. Shetlar, OSU Extension, October ‘02]
Common Wood Destroying Insects
Termites
Carpenter Ants
Powderpost Beetles
Longhorn Beetles
Flatheaded Borers
Wood-boring Weevils
Termites
Major destroyers of wood and wood product
materials. Normally associated with buildings, but
can also infest wood that has been stored for some
time. There are three basic kinds of termites:
Subterranean
Dampwood
Drywood
Isoptera
(termites)
[social insects, winged reproductives with both wings same
size and membranous; straight or curved antennae consists
of beadlike segments; abdomen broadly joined to thorax; no
cerci; chewing mouthparts]
Termites are sometimes called “white ants”
because they are ant-like in form. Termites differ
in antenna form and having a broad waist.
Ant or Termite?
Figure 3-5
Subterranean termite colonies live in the soil
from which they construct exploratory tubes in
search of wood.
Termite Swarming is usually the first evidence
of an infestation noticed by most people.
Drywood Termites
Can live in dry, sound wood
Usually tropical and subtropical
Kick out characteristic fecal pellets
Subterranean (left), Drywood (right)
Drywood Termite Fecal Pellets
Carpenter Ants
Camponotus
Figure
3-9
Carpenter Ants build nests in
wood, they don’t eat it!
Carpenter Ant Damage
Carpenter ants need water
Usually build nests in damp
or partially rotted wood, but
can extend their nests into
sound wood
Keep lumber dry and
properly stacked.
Powder Post Beetles
Three Families
Lyctids
Bostrichids
Anobiids
The main sign of powderpost beetles
is powdery sawdust.
Powderpost beetles turn wood to dust!
Lyctid powderpost beetles:
Attack sapwood
Attack hardwoods only, rarely maple
Require 8% to 32% moisture
Anobiid powderpost beetles:
Prefer old woods, 10-20 years old!
Attack hardwoods and softwoods including maple
Require 13% to 30% moisture
Wood-boring weevil, Hexarthum:
Frass looks like powderpost beetles
Attack hardwoods, including maple
Require high wood moistures, often wet!
Wood-boring Beetle Management
Detect early! (regularly inspect - powder)
Keep lumber at less than 5% moisture
Keep lumber off of moist floors or ground
Resaw to remove sapwood
Don’t purchase infested lumber & destroy
lumber that becomes infested
Fumigate high cost lumber (professionals
only!)