Progress 06/01/04 to 05/31/09
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research project is to determine the effectiveness of formulations of cedar oil on protection of wood from invasion and consumption by the Formosan subterranean termite. Approach (from AD-416) Various dimensions of structural woods from several tree species will be treated with several concentrations of cedar oil extracts alone and in combination with additives. The woods will then be cut to obtain sections consisting of the outermost portion of the wood and the innermost portions of the wood. Similar sections of untreated wood of the species to be tested will be prepared. These sections will then be presented to termites as either the sole food source or will be presented in combination with an untreated wood source known to be consumed by the termite. The amounts of the wood sections consumed by the termite with or without the treatment will then be compared. It will also be determined if treatment of the wood causes mortality to the termite when the wood is consumed or whether termites starve because they will not consume the wood. The same comparisons on both inner and outer portions of the wood to determine the degree to which the treatments penetrate the wood and to determine whether there is a concentration gradient from the outside to the interior of the wood will be made. Treated (and control) wood sections will be aged under laboratory conditions and outside exposed to the elements to determine if there is loss of efficacy upon aging. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report serves to document research conducted under a Non-Funded Cooperative Research Agreement between ARS and Cedarcide Industries. Further information can be found in the report for the in-house project 6435-32000-009-00D, "Area-Wide Strategies for Management of Formosan Subterranean Termites." The purpose of this project was to determine the effectiveness and utility of various extracts provide by the cooperator at treating and protecting wood from attack by the Formosan subterranean termite. The most significant achievement over the life of the project is the development of acoustic devices for the detection of hidden infestations of the Formosan subterranean termite. This technology has been adopted by collaborators in the related project for area-wide management of the FST in New Orleans French Quarter. Further constraints to the widespread adoption of this technology are the development of more sensitive and less expensive sensors and signal processing equipment. Successful implementation of this technology should allow earlier detection of termite infestation and allow treatments before significant damage to structures or trees occurs. This research addresses National Program 104, Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology Component 2: Detection and Surveillance Technology, goal 2.1.2 develop accurate, sensitive and non- destructive methods for detecting hidden populations of ants or termites using physics. Work was monitored by emails and telephone discussions with Cooperator. The work on this project was completed in earlier years. No research was performed during the past year and there are no plans to continue this line of research.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Progress Report 4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement between the ARS and Cedarcide Industries. Additional details of reserach can be found in the report for the inhouse project 6435-32000-009-00D, Area-Wide Strategies for Management of Formosan Subterraneam Termites. Tests with various formulations of cedar extracts were conducted to determine if the extracts caused mortality or prevented feeding by the Formosan subterranean termite when applied to wood or paper. Termites were provided either choice of treated or non-treated materials or in some cases were given only treated material. In some treatments, mortality was greater when termites were exposed to freshly treated wood or paper, but after aging the treatments did not result in significantly greater mortality compared with untreated control substances. In other treatments, treatment of wood pieces resulted in more rapid death and reduced
wood consumption when compared with untreated wood. It was concluded that even excess surface application of the cedar extracts to structural wood did not provide sufficient mortality to the termites or prevent termite wood consumption to warrant further testing. Other formulations of cedar extracts should be evaluated to determine their effectiveness.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement between the ARS and Cedarcide Industries. Additional details of reserach can be found in the report for the parent project 6435-32000-009-00D, Area-Wide Strategies for Management of Formosan Subterraneam Termites. Tests with various formulations of cedar extracts were conducted to determine if the extracts caused mortality or prevented feeding by the Formosan subterranean termite when applied to wood or paper. Termites were provided either choice of treated or non-treated materials or in some cases were given only treated material. In some treatments, mortality was greater when termites were exposed to freshly treated wood or paper, but after aging the treatments did not result in significantly greater mortality compared with untreated control substances. In other treatments, treatment of wood pieces resulted in more rapid death and reduced wood consumption
when compared with untreated wood. It was concluded that even excess surface application of the cedar extracts to structural wood did not provide sufficient mortality to the termites or prevent termite wood consumption to warrant further testing. Other formulations of cedar extracts should be evaluated to determine their effectiveness.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
|