Abstract
In a field test, five species of imported woods, commonly found in the local market of Saudi Arabia were inspected for their natural resistance to subterranean termites. Stakes of mahogany (Khaya sp.) showed no signs of damage throughout the test period and was therefore classified as durable. Beech (Fagus sp.) and spruce (Picea sp.) were perishable to termites within periods as short as 4 months. Apitong (Dipterocarpus sp.) and pine (Pinus sp.) showed the least mean number of damaged stakes, and damage ratings were far below 1. The latter two species could be classified as moderately durable. Termites showed some sort of host preference. Beech wood was very attractive to Microcerotermes , and all infested stakes were associated with live workers of this genus. Termites of the genus Microtermes were observed on some damaged stakes of spruce and pine. One of the damaged stakes of the latter species together with the single infested stake of apitong showed signs of Anacanthotermes attacks, though no living individuals were observed.