Bifenthrin treatment for balsa: Susceptibility of Papua New Guinea-grown Ochroma pyramidale to attack by Coptotermes acinaciformis (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in an Australian context

This study evaluated the termite susceptibility of Papua New Guinea (PNG) balsa (Ochroma pyramidale) against Australia's most economically important wood-destroying termite species, Coptotermes acinaciformis. Samples of envelope treated PNG balsa with the insecticide bifenthrin and non-treated balsa, radiata pine (Pinus radiata) sapwood and southern blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) heartwood were exposed to seven different colonies of C. acinaciformis at a field site in the Northern Territory, Australia. The results indicated that balsa is susceptible to termite attack, with a mean mass loss of 30.9% (range 3.8–99.9%). Mean mass losses for radiata pine and southern blue gum were 90.3 and 98.9% respectively. It was evident that balsa can be successfully protected from termite attack with envelope-treatments of bifenthrin, with the latter proving to be highly efficacious at mass/volume retentions much lower than those specified in AS 1604.1 and typically used in the Australian timber preservation industry. •PNG balsa is susceptible to wood-destroying termite attack in Australia, with a mean mass loss of 30.9% (range 3.9–99.9%).•Similarly, as a control in the study, the mean mass losses for radiata pine and southern blue gum were 90.3% and 98.9%.•Balsa can be successfully protected from termite attack with envelope-treatments of the insecticide bifenthrin.•The paper reviews the literature for balsa susceptibility to termite species and details the origin of balsa and methods used.