CHARACTERIZATION OF INJURY CAUSED BY Coptotermes testaceus IN Tectona grandis PLANTATIONS IN BRAZIL
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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.