Resistance evaluation of cellulosic and non-cellulosic building materials to subterranean termite Microcerotermes diversus (Isoptera: Termitidae) under laboratory and field conditions

Cellulosic and non-cellulosic building materials، such as wood-plastic composite، MDF، particleboard and polystyrene have been widely used recently in the construction industry. The resistance of building materials to termite attack is one of the most important parameters in the evaluation of their quality. In this study، the resistance of composite wood-plastic، MDF، particleboard and polystyrene building materials to M. diversus attack was evaluated under choice and non-choice laboratory assays and under field conditions. Polystyrene، particleboard and MDF were attacked by M. diversus and considerable damage was observed in non-choice assays، but wood-plastic composite was resistant. Particleboard and MDF were the most highly attacked materials in choice and field assays. Due to its lack of nutritional value، polystyrene was not attractive and it showed a low level of damage. Wood-plastic composite showed a high level of resistance to termite attack. There was a significant correlation between the material’s increased density and reduced weight loss.