Publicado

2025-07-22

Wood consumption preferences in three species of termites (Blattodea, Termitidae) from northeastern Argentina

Preferencias de consumo de madera en tres especies de termitas (Blattodea, Termitidae) del nordeste de Argentina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15446/abc.v30n2.109730

Palabras clave:

Feeding, Isoptera, Urban pest (en)
Alimentación, Isoptera, Plagas (es)

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Autores/as

The consumption behavior of three termite species (Cortaritermes fulviceps, Nasutitermes aquilinus, and Nasutitermes corniger) was analyzed through laboratory bioassays, using wood from four tree species commonly utilized in structures and furniture in northeastern Argentina (Eucalyptus grandis, Pinus elliottii, Neltuma alba, and Cordia americana). Wood consumption by each termite species was measured by the difference between the initial and final dry weight of the samples, and by using a qualitative scale. All four Wood types were consumed by the three termite species. The consumption by C. fulviceps and N. aquilinus was reduced, and the damage was categorized as slight or moderate; therefore, both termites could be considered occasional urban pests. Conversely, N. corniger produced the most significant damage in all wood types, confirming its status as a severe structural pest and the need for monitoring and control of this species.

Se analizo el comportamiento de consumo de tres especies de termitas (Cortaritermes fulviceps, Nasutitermes aquilinus y Nasutitermes corniger) mediante bioensayos de laboratorio, utilizando maderas de cuatro especies arboreas comunmente utilizadas en estructuras y muebles en el noreste argentino (Eucalypus grandis, Pinus elliottii, Neltuma alba y Cordia americana). El consumo de madera de cada especie de termita se midio por la diferencia entre el peso seco inicial y final de las muestras, utilizando una escala cualitativa. Los cuatro tipos de madera fueron consumidos por las tres especies de termitas. Los consumos de C. fulviceps y N. aquilinus fueron reducidos y sus danos se categorizaron como leves o moderados, por lo que ambas termitas podrian considerarse como plagas urbanas ocasionales. Por el contrario, N. corniger produjo los danos mas importantes en todas las maderas, confirmando el estatus de plaga estructural severa y la necesidad de un monitoreo y control de esta especie.

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Cómo citar

APA

Etcheverry, C., Godoy, M. C., Coronel, J. M., Laffont, E. R. & Larrea, D. D. (2025). Wood consumption preferences in three species of termites (Blattodea, Termitidae) from northeastern Argentina. Acta Biológica Colombiana, 30(2), 18–26. https://doi.org/10.15446/abc.v30n2.109730

ACM

[1]
Etcheverry, C., Godoy, M.C., Coronel, J.M., Laffont, E.R. y Larrea, D.D. 2025. Wood consumption preferences in three species of termites (Blattodea, Termitidae) from northeastern Argentina. Acta Biológica Colombiana. 30, 2 (abr. 2025), 18–26. DOI:https://doi.org/10.15446/abc.v30n2.109730.

ACS

(1)
Etcheverry, C.; Godoy, M. C.; Coronel, J. M.; Laffont, E. R.; Larrea, D. D. Wood consumption preferences in three species of termites (Blattodea, Termitidae) from northeastern Argentina. Acta biol. Colomb. 2025, 30, 18-26.

ABNT

ETCHEVERRY, C.; GODOY, M. C.; CORONEL, J. M.; LAFFONT, E. R.; LARREA, D. D. Wood consumption preferences in three species of termites (Blattodea, Termitidae) from northeastern Argentina. Acta Biológica Colombiana, [S. l.], v. 30, n. 2, p. 18–26, 2025. DOI: 10.15446/abc.v30n2.109730. Disponível em: https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/actabiol/article/view/109730. Acesso em: 11 feb. 2026.

Chicago

Etcheverry, Clara, María Celina Godoy, Juan Manuel Coronel, Enrique Rafael Laffont, y Dario Daniel Larrea. 2025. «Wood consumption preferences in three species of termites (Blattodea, Termitidae) from northeastern Argentina». Acta Biológica Colombiana 30 (2):18-26. https://doi.org/10.15446/abc.v30n2.109730.

Harvard

Etcheverry, C., Godoy, M. C., Coronel, J. M., Laffont, E. R. y Larrea, D. D. (2025) «Wood consumption preferences in three species of termites (Blattodea, Termitidae) from northeastern Argentina», Acta Biológica Colombiana, 30(2), pp. 18–26. doi: 10.15446/abc.v30n2.109730.

IEEE

[1]
C. Etcheverry, M. C. Godoy, J. M. Coronel, E. R. Laffont, y D. D. Larrea, «Wood consumption preferences in three species of termites (Blattodea, Termitidae) from northeastern Argentina», Acta biol. Colomb., vol. 30, n.º 2, pp. 18–26, abr. 2025.

MLA

Etcheverry, C., M. C. Godoy, J. M. Coronel, E. R. Laffont, y D. D. Larrea. «Wood consumption preferences in three species of termites (Blattodea, Termitidae) from northeastern Argentina». Acta Biológica Colombiana, vol. 30, n.º 2, abril de 2025, pp. 18-26, doi:10.15446/abc.v30n2.109730.

Turabian

Etcheverry, Clara, María Celina Godoy, Juan Manuel Coronel, Enrique Rafael Laffont, y Dario Daniel Larrea. «Wood consumption preferences in three species of termites (Blattodea, Termitidae) from northeastern Argentina». Acta Biológica Colombiana 30, no. 2 (abril 9, 2025): 18–26. Accedido febrero 11, 2026. https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/actabiol/article/view/109730.

Vancouver

1.
Etcheverry C, Godoy MC, Coronel JM, Laffont ER, Larrea DD. Wood consumption preferences in three species of termites (Blattodea, Termitidae) from northeastern Argentina. Acta biol. Colomb. [Internet]. 9 de abril de 2025 [citado 11 de febrero de 2026];30(2):18-26. Disponible en: https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/actabiol/article/view/109730

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