Characterization of injury caused by Coptotermes testaceus in Tectona grandis plantations in Brazil

Abstract

Coptotermes testaceus (Linnaeus, 1758) is the most important species of heartwood termite of adult trees in forests planted in Brazil. This study aimed to characterize the injuries promoted by the heartwood termite C. testaceus in Tectona grandis commercial stands. Tree bark with extend carton material on the outside, forming external galleries and internal stem with a high termite infestation, was found in August 2018, in clonal plantations of T. grandis of 4.2 and 7.2-year of age. Internal injuries were characterized by galleries inside stem length with the presence of some soil, carton material, and termites inside the galleries. The damage by C. testaceus may not show external signs, and the injury was only detected during the harvesting process.