Natural resistance of different species of timber to marine borer attack in the Trondheimsfjord (Western Norway)

IRG/WP 435

L N Santhakumaran, J A Sneli

Natural resistance of 34 timber species to marine wood-borers has been discussed, based on data collected from panels immersed in selected localities in the Trondheimsfjord during 1977-78. The wood-borers encountered on the panels were Psiloteredo megotara, Xylophaga dorsalis, Xylophaga praestans and Limnoria lignorum. The number of borers present and their growth were taken as the criterion for assessing the durability. Attack of Xylophaga was observed on all the wood species, though on timber like Irul, Wengé, Teak, Bijasal, Merbau, Vanah, Bibolo, Aniegré and Abachi, most of them did not succeed beyond making tiny pits. The first five species were totally free from Limnoria also. Attack of Psiloteredo megotara was noticed only on 14 timber species, and although destruction was slight on all except Pine and Spruce, those settled have grown to very large size. The influence of fouling organisms on natural durability of wood has been discussed. The results have been briefly compared with similar work done in other localities by various workers.


Keywords: MARINE BORERS; XYLOPHAGA DORSALIS; XYLOPHAGA PRAESTANS; PSILOTEREDO MEGOTARA; LIMNORIA LIGNORUM; NATURAL RESISTANCE; NORWAY; TEST SITES; TIMBERS; TRONDHEIMSFJORD

Conference: 78-09-18/22 Peebles, Scotland, UK


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