• 보존과학연구
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• s.31
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• pp.121-130
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• 2010

Wooden structures in Korea are usually damaged by some insects such as termites, wasps, cigarette beetles, powder-post beetles. Especially, the termites inhabiting in Korea are the subterranean termites, Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis Morimoto, that make colonies in underground, therefore it is difficult to predict and control substantial infestations in advance. Accordingly, to enable inspectors to locate the termite infestations before the extensive damage occurs, the pest management industry has begun using several elaborate tools and making the various effect to inspect areas hard to access through a visual inspection. Recently detector dogs were adopted as one of those tools. Detector dogs are useful for locating subterranean termites because they use their acute olfaction rather than vision. We also have used detector dogs to locate termites and investigated 270 buildings from 31 sites since 2007. According to the results, while 144 buildings (53.4%) were in good condition with no damage by termites, 80 buildings (29.6%) were found out to be damaged by termites through visual inspection and detector dog. So it is expected to control termites according to the conservation status if detector dogs are well trained to discriminate live termites from fecal pellets by termites.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.357-361
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• 2021

In order to determine the changes in microbial community due to termites, soil microorganisms surrounding the termites were investigated. First, bacterial communities from soil with termites collected at Seonamsa temple, Suncheon city, Korea were compared by next-generation sequencing (NGS, Illumina Miseq). The bacterial composition of soil from Daeungjeon without termites and the soil from Josadang, Palsangjeon, and Samjeon with termites were compared. Next, the bacterial composition of these soils was also compared with that of humus soil cultured with termites. A total high-quality sequences of 71,942 and 72,429 reads were identified in Seonamsa temple's soil and humus soil, respectively. The dominant phyla in the collected Seonamsa temple's soil were Proteobacteria (27%), Firmicutes (24%) and Actinobacteria (21%), whereas those in the humus soil were Bacteriodetes (56%) and Proteobacteria (37%). Using a two-dimensional plot to explain the principal coordinate analysis of operational taxonomic unit compositions of the soil samples, it was confirmed that the samples were divided into soil with and without termites, and it was especially confirmed that the Proteobacteria phylum was increased in humus soil with termites than in humus soil without termites.

• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

Subterranean termites forage by constructing tunnel networks in soil and encounter food resources during tunnel excavation. Some species of termites can travel up to 150 m underground. They often travel to the surface to find wood cellulose to feed their colony, which in turn causes extensive damage to wooden architecture, such as timber-frame houses. This type of damage has been constantly increasing along with global warming because higher temperatures provide an ecological niche for termites. The damage is closely related to termite territory size and distribution. Recently, as a way to research termite control, the necessity of a mathematical model to simulate termite territory formation in relation to damage has increased. So far, however, few studies have been conducted on the development of a model because it is difficult to quantify or characterize the relationship between territorial behavior and field conditions including complicated environmental factors. In the present study, we suggest a simulation model of the territoriality of the Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki), and Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), based on empirical data. The model consists of 2 procedures. One describes tunnel network growth for each colony, and the other represents territoriality based on tunnel-tunnel interactions between different colonies. Using the model, we show changes in territorial competition according to the termination probability of tunnel growth.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.458-474
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• 2022

Many methods have been explored to increase the palatability of pine (Pinus merkusii), the most common wood used for termite baiting. However, because of the undersupply of pine in Indonesia, it is crucial to vary the wood species for termite baiting and look for potential alternatives. Furthermore, various studies have shown that baiting time influences the intensity and pattern of termite attacks. Therefore, the present research aimed to study the preferences of subterranean termites and find the ideal baiting time among community wood species from Bogor, West Java, as a baiting alternative to pine. The woods tested were Acacia mangium (acacia), Falcataria moluccana (sengon), Anthocephalus cadamba (jabon), Maesopsis eminii (manii), Swietenia mahagoni (mahogany), Hevea brasiliensis (rubberwood), and P. merkusii (pine). Field tests were carried out based on the American Society for Testing and Materials D 1758-06 at the Arboretum, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, IPB University, with a baiting time of one to six months. The results led to the identification of four species of termites, namely Microtermes sp., Macrotermes sp., Shedorhinotermes sp., and Capritermes sp.. The frequency of termite attacks on the test site reached 93.1%. Rubberwood was the most potential wood bait for subterranean termites, indicated by the highest average weight loss value (65.8%) with a shorter optimal baiting time (up to one month) than that of other tested woods.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.32
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• pp.123-136
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• 2011

There are more than 2,800 different species of termites in the world, but just there is one species (Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis Morimoto) in Korea. Once wooden structures are damaged by termites, we are applying chemical control methods such as fumigation, treatment of insecticidal and antiseptic chemicals, soil termiticide treatment, and termite colony elimination system to pest control. But in Korea, the termite infestation is gradually increasing, so it is essential to study on the present situation of termite control in US or Japan. Accordingly, in this part we have studied focusing on the case of US. In the US, there are three groups of termites : Subterranean, Drywood, Dampwood termites, and they caused more severe infestation compared with Korea. When a structure has become infested with termites, it is important that appropriate action must be taken: the chemical pest control (soil treatment, termite baiting, termite colony elimination), the modification and maintenance of buildings and the regular inspection for follow-up. And with consideration for different characteristics of termites, the process of pest control is made according to each species of termites. Most of the subterranean termite control is done by applying either termiticide to the soil or termite monitoring and baiting system around the structure. On the other hand, drywood termite control methods can be categorized as either the treatment for the whole structure or the treatment for localized area. Applications to the whole structure are done by fumigants or heat and the localized treatments are carried out with chemicals as well as heat, freezing, microwave and electricity.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.191-208
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• 2021

In this study, the status of damage by subterranean termites and their management according to the region and type of domestic wooden cultural properties were identified. This was based on the survey reports of agencies conducting regular nationwide and regional monitoring of subterranean termites. In addition, using geographical information system (GIS) based on the survey contents, a map was constructed of termite infestation and its progress on 2,805 wooden cultural properties that were surveyed nationwide. Based on the map produced, a total of 486 cases of termite infestation were confirmed in wooden cultural properties during 2018-2019, of which 143 cases (approximately 29.4%) were confirmed to be owing to the invasion of termites in the ground and infestation of wood materials. A web platform and an application using a mapping application program interface were created to increase accessibility to the investigated damage status data. The methods employed by each institution for investigating and monitoring the invasion of termites in the ground included the use of detection dogs, visual observation, installation of wood specimens made of pine, and microwave equipment. However, it was confirmed that monitoring and survey methods were not applied to determine the territorial range of the subterranean termite colonies. Accordingly, the use of dyeing and mark-release-recapture methods were deemed necessary to understand the current status, such as calculating the scope of the target wooden cultural property, when monitoring subterranean termite colonies.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.745-754
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• 2020

The dye marker Sudan Red 7B was tested as an effective and appropriate marking method for searching the territory of the termite, Reticulitermes speratus, in Korea. The sensitivity of termites to the dye marker was evaluated by measuring the feed consumption amount, survival rate, retention time, and transfer efficiency of R. speratus according to the concentration and feeding period of Sudan Red 7B. As the concentration conditions of dye marker increase, Sudan Red 7B remarkably reduced the feed consumption of the termites. The survival rate was not significantly different from that of the control group (more than 90%), except when feed containing 1% or 2% concentrations of the dye marker was given for five days. The duration of the marking effect persisted for seven days, even at a concentration of 2% dye marker in the feed. No dye transfer by trophallaxis occurred between termites marked with Sudan Red 7B and unmarked termites.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.19
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• pp.133-158
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• 1998

There are about 2,000 species of termite in the World, but one species of termite inhabits in the southern part of Korean peninsula. Termites are social insects that live in colonies. The colonies are composed of king, queen, soldiers and workers. Termite food consists of cellulose obtained from wood. Protozoa in their digestive tracts convert the cellulose into usable food. Korean termite is a subspecies of Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe, Rhinotermitidae. It's subterranean termite and the scientic name is R. speratus kyushensis Morimoto. The subterranean termite must nest in the soil in order to survival, and infest soft-wood which contact with the soil near the nest. There are several ways which subterranean termite infestations can be noticed. Atcertain times of the year during daylight hours, king and queen termites emerge from the colonies. The propose of these flight is to establish new colonies. The termite is a decomposer of biological ecosystem, but an invader in the preservation of cultural properties as like wood buildings. There are serveral control methods for the prevention of wood building from termite's damages. Those are biological control, ecological control, physical control and chemical control. Ecological and Physical control are the best methods in the new constructing wood-building. Fumigation which is a method of chemical control, is the best method for the building damaged by the termite. After the fumigation, we have totake wood & soil treatments for the building and nearby in order not to be reinvaded by the termites.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.188-197
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• 2020

Termites play an important role as decomposers of the forest ecosystem, while simultaneously causing enormous damage to wooden structures. Currently, two species of subterranean termites have been reported in Korea, and termite damage to historical wooden buildings is occurring nationwide due to climate change, forest fertility, and the locational characteristics of historical wooden buildings. Subterranean termites make their nests underground or inside timber. Termites move underground and access wooden structures through the lower parts of the buildings, adjacent to the ground. Once termites attack the wooden structures, it not only spoils the authenticity of cultural heritage structure, but also hampers structural stability due to the decrease in the strength of the material. Therefore, it is important to prevent termite damage before it occurs. Chemical treatments are mainly used in Korea to control and prevent the damage. In foreign countries, physical barriers are also used to prevent entry to wooden buildings, along with chemical treatments. Physical barriers involve installing nets or particles that termites cannot pass through in the lower part of the building, around the pipes, and between the edges of the building or exterior walls and interior materials. Advantages of a physical barrier are that it is an eco-friendly method, maintains long-term effect after installation, and does not require the use of chemical treatments. Prior to applying physical barriers, studies into the characteristics of termite species must be undertaken. In this study, we evaluated the minimum passage size that each caste of Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis can move through. We found that workers, soldiers, and secondary reproductive termites were able to pass through diameters of 0.7mm, 0.9mm, and 1.1mm respectively. Head height of termites was an important factor in determining the minimum passing size. Results from the current study will be used as a basis to design the mesh size for physical barriers to prevent damage by termites in historical wooden buildings in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.804-809
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• 2015

Since Korea is home to Reticulitermes speratus, a kind of subterranean termites that prefer dark and humid conditions, there have been increasing damages to wooden structures by termites. One noticeable attribute of Korean subterranean termites is that they prefer than Pinus densiflora, the major construction material for Korean traditional houses. And because wide varieties of termites are distributed all over the world, it is not so easy to choose appropriate control methods depending on specific areas. This necessitates careful applications of the following control methods depending on the kinds of termites: fumigation treatment, soil termiticide, preservatives and insect treatment, termite colony elimination system, chemical treatment, and other physical and biological treatment methods. The purpose of this study is to investigate the control effects of environmentally-friendly Alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ), Copper Azole (CuAZ) and Micronized copper quarter (MCQ) on the termites contributing to the damage of wooden structures. It was found in this study that wood with preservative treatment produced a significantly higher termicidal efficacy than untreated wood.