Abstract
The lower subterranean termite, Heterotermes indicola Wasmann is among the most devastating species causing significant loss annually in South Asia. Feeding deterrence of H. indicola among 10 different woods species were evaluated in choice and no-choice assays conducted under laboratory and field conditions. Visual rating according to (AWPA, 1997) scale, mass loss, wood consumption per termite and mortality rate were determined to evaluate resistance of wood against H. indicola. Populus euramericana and Dalbergia sissoo were observed most palatable and resistant wood species, respectively, in no choice laboratory and field trials. Five different wooden pairs were evaluated in choice bioassays in laboratory and field conditions. In force feeding field bioassays, least mass loss was recorded on D. sissoo (0.19 +/- 0.07g) and maximum on P. euramericana (1.50.1g). Under choice laboratory trials, maximum mass loss difference was recorded on pair of P. euramericana and D. sissoo (0.89 +/- 0.05 and 0.14 +/- 0.01g), whereas, minimum mass loss difference was observed on pair of B. variegata and A. lebbeck (0.48 +/- 0.02 and 0.43 +/- 0.04g). Under choice field conditions, D. sissoo and S. cumini were found most resistive, whereas, P. euramericana and B. monosperma were most palatable for H. indicola. Feeding tendency in descending order of resistance based on mean mass loss as a quantitative parameter was recorded as: D. sissoo, S. cumini, P. roxburghii, J. mimosifolia, B. variegata, M. indica, A. lebbeck, A. indica, B. monosperma, P. euramericana.