• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.679-688
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated the applicability of a termiticide based on metofluthrin for termite control on traditional wooden buildings. To evaluate their mortality, termites were exposed to the agent, diluted to various concentrations, for seven days; it was found that it had a sufficient insecticidal effect although there was a difference depending on the degree of agent dilution. Next, the effect on Dancheong, used in traditional wooden structures, was measured based on the color change according to the number of agent treatments. The results showed that only the color difference value of two pigments (i.e., Bun and Juhong) was measured as 3.0 or higher. However, there this varied according to the dilution ratio. Thus, it was found that most pigments had little effect on the color of Dancheong. Finally, the termiticidal efficacy of the agent when applied to wood was evaluated. We found that the specimens coated with 10-fold and 20-fold dilutions exhibited 2.83 and 6.28% mass loss, respectively. The 10-fold dilution satisfied the performance of termiticide as a mass loss of less than 3%. In conclusion, the metofluthrin-based agent used in this study has little effect on various Dancheong pigments and has a termiticidal effect against termites; it is therefore suggested that it may be used in preserving traditional wooden cultural properties in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2023

This research aimed to evaluate the durability of Samama (Anthocephalus macrophyllus) wood treated with boron preservatives, citric acid (CA), and heating against termites. Wood samples were impregnated firstly with 5% boron solutions, such as boric acid, borax and boric acid + borax combination at 1:1 (w/w). The second impregnation used 5% CA. The impregnations were conducted in a pressure tank at 7 kg/cm² for 4 hours. After impregnation, the samples were heat treated at 80℃ or 160℃. All the treated and control samples were exposed to decay fungi, drywood termites and subterranean termites based on SNI 7207:2014 standard. The results showed that boron preservatives reduced fungal attacks on Samama wood. The combination treatment of boric acid, CA and heat treatment at 160℃ was also effective to increase the resistance of Samama wood against white- and brown rot fungi, and drywood termites. Heat treatment consistently improved the resistance of Samama wood from decay fungi.

• 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.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.449-460
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• 2022

This study was performed to reveal phenotypic characters and identity of symbiont bacteria of Nasutitermes as well as investigate their potential as antagonist of plant pathogenic fungi. Isolation of the symbiont bacteria was carried out from inside the heads and the bodies of soldier and worker termite which were collected from 3 locations of nests. Identification was performed using phenotypic test and sequence of 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA). Antagonistic capability was investigated in the laboratory against 3 phytopathogenic fungi i.e., Phytophthora capsici, Ganoderma boninense, and Rigidoporus microporus. Totally, 39 bacterial isolates were obtained from inside the heads and the bodies of Nasutitermes. All the isolates showed capability to inhibit growth of P. capsici, however, 34 isolates showed capability to inhibit growth of G. boninense and 32 isolates showed capability to inhibit growth of R. microporus. Two bacterial strains (IK3.1P and 1B1.2P) which showed the highest percentage of inhibition were further identified based on their sequence of 16S rDNA. The result showed that 1K3.1P strain was placed in the group of type strain and reference strains of Lysinibacillus fusiformis meanwhile 1B1.2P strain was grouped within type strain and reference strains Paenibacillus alvei. The result of this study supply valuable information on the role of symbiont bacteria of Nasutitermes, which may support the development of the control method of the three above-mentioned phytopathogenic fungi.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.180-191
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• 2022

Wooden cultural heritage are exposed to the external environment as they and there are many difficulties in conservation due to their location and size. Among them, biological damage caused by termites or mold consumes a lot of money and time. Select and use wood preservatives to prevent biological damage: Wood preservatives were selected and the worst environmental conditions, temperature 60±3℃, humidity 55±5%, and light intensity of 0.35 W/m², were subjected to aging treatment to analyze chemical changes. Through the deterioration process, it was confirmed that the change in color difference decreased in the wood preservative treatment compared to the Control group. As a result of measuring the content of the active ingredient contained in the deterioration process of the wood preservative, it was confirmed that the active ingredient content of Gori22 and Bondex Preserve III was higher than that of the comparative Wood Keeper A. Through experiments, the shelf life and treatment period can be predicted by measuring the extent to which wood preservatives affect the change of wood specimens during the deterioration process and the content of active ingredients. In conclusion, various wood preservatives were prepared, and the possibility of selectively selecting wood preservatives according to the environment, topography and period was presented as a major evaluation factor.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.514-534
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• 2021

To estimate the territorial size of Reticulitermes speratus, a species of subterranean termites that damages wooden structures in Korea, appropriate dye markers were selected and the diffusion tendency was analyzed. According to the results of the sensitivity assessment using sawdust diet, increase in dye concentration reduced the amount of feed consumption but the dyeing becomes more intense. Except for the Neutral Red 0.5% group, all other concentration groups, including the control group, showed a survival rate of > 85% until week 4. For both, Nile Blue A and Neutral Red dye markers, all concentration conditions > 0.2%, except for the 0.1% concentration, were maintained for 11 weeks, and no sign of transfer effect was found except when the termites were fed with the dye markers. Therefore, it appears that 0.2% of Nile Blue A and Neutral Red is the optimal concentration for monitoring the R. speratus colonies. Additionally, we prepared an indoor 40 m long foraging arena consisting of a colony of 25,000 termites and released individuals stained with 0.2% of Nile Blue A and Neutral Red at both ends to assess the diffusion trends over time. The results showed that it took approximately 7 days for each dyed individual to gradually cover the 40 m distance and mix with each other. These findings reveal that when mark-release-recapture monitoring is conducted on the R. speratus colonies damaging wooden structures, the extent of the colony's activity area could be measured and different colonies could be distinguished from each other.