Reinfestation of consolidated ancient wood by insects

IRG/WP 98-10290

W Unger, A Unger, U Schiessl

Wooden artifacts are often attacked by wood-destroying insects. Therefore conservators have to stabilize numerous objects from such attack. Initially we studied the resistance of painting materials and consolidants on unaffected recent wood against wood-destroying insects (IRG/WP 97-10239). Further, we wanted an answer to the question: Are artifacts, formerly destroyed by wood-borers, reinfested by insects after consolidation. Tests with newly hatched larvae of Hylotrupes bajulus L. showed that there are four different levels of biostability. Only two products - Araldit DY 026 (an epoxy resin) and Lignol AS/AW-K (a polymeth acrylic resin) - provided full protection from reinfestation by wood-destroying insects. Other products such as Paraloid B72 (a copolymer of ethyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate), Plexigum P28 (an iso-polybutyl methacrylate) and shellac (a natural resin with different hydroxycarbon acids) were only partially resistant to reinfestation by insects. The newly hatched larvae penetrated the impregnated layers of wood and reached the resin-free areas. There the insects could survive and develop.


Keywords: WOOD CONSOLIDATION; RESIN TREATMENT; WOODEN ARTIFACTS; HYLOTRUPES BAJULUS; WOOD-DESTROYING INSECTS; REINFESTATION

Conference: 98-06-14/19 Maastricht, The Low Countries


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