Differential Susceptibility of MDF and Commercial Wood to Coptotermes gestroi

ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the foraging and feeding preferences of Coptotermes gestroi (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in wood from four forest species and Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) in urban areas of the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro, São Gonçalo and Seropédica, RJ, Brazil. Wooden and MDF stakes were buried in the soil in the presence of C. gestroi foragers, in multiple choice assays, where the stakes remained for 15, 30, 60 and 90 days. The highest occurrence of foragers was in Alcântara 2 (São Gonçalo). In three areas, the stakes presented no foraging at any time during the exposure period. Generally, the longer the exposure period, the greater the occurrence of C. gestroi in the stakes and their loss of mass. The Pinus elliottii stakes had a greater loss of mass caused by C. gestroi, followed by the MDF, suggesting the need for preservative treatment of these materials prior to use.