Estudo do Mecanismo da Barreira de Areia contra Nasutitermes sp. (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Abstract

The damages caused by termites of Nasutitermes genus classify itself as one of the main pests of wood in urban areas. Several alternatives have been studied for the control of termites, among them the sand barriers have been showed effectiveness, beyond their characterization as a product correct ecologically. This study had as objective to evaluate in tests of laboratory sand barriers against Nasutitermes sp. termites. Firstly, granulation tests were performed in commercial sand and following, four fractions of the sieved sand were selected with diameters of 0.85-4.75 mm and two mixtures with particles in the diameters of 1.68-4.75 mm (Mix 1) and 0.85-1.99 mm (Mix 2) for the biological tests by penetration of the termites. In the first essay (Biotest 1) tubes of glasses (25 X 110 mm) were used and they filled out with four layers humidified sawdust, agar 2%, humidified sand (60 mm), agar 2%, sawdust-bait fractions and 50 termites (41 workers and nine soldiers). These sets were covered and disposed in closed up platform by near water to the main colony and the penetration of termites was measured in a period of two weeks. At last of the test the survival was quantified. In the second experiment (Biotest 2) beackers of 250 mL were used and full up of the same way that the tube-tests, not added agar and termites. These sets were disposed around the main colony of Nasutitermes sp. by 30 days. At the same time were performed the measurement of Nasutitermes collected in Manaus city. The control substrate (particles <0.85 mm diameter) had penetration completely (60 mm) at least of three days in both biotests. Biotest 1, the fractions of sand of 1.68-1.99 mm (M 12) presented the least penetration (3.33 mm). Layers formed by particles of 0.85-1.67 mm (M 20) had a penetration of 21.67 mm of depth. However, at the layers of sand composed of particles of the dimensions 2.38-4.75 mm (M8), 2.00-2.37 mm (M10) and 1.68-4.74 mm (Mix 1) there was not penetration. In the Biotest 2 was just observed a light excavation and/ or penetration of 0.33 mm at barrier formed by particles of 0.85-1.67 mm (M20). The other fractions were completely neglected for the termites (null penetration). At biotests of Nasutitermes sp. survival was 52% in the control substrate and 34.67% on average for the other treatment fractions. Biometry of the termites revealed dimensions of 4.35 mm (whole body) and head width 1.10 mm, between the workers. Granulometry essays larger contents of fine particles were detected (< 0.85 mm) at the commercial sand. Basis in the minimum dimensions of the particles of each fraction was performed a simple regression to evaluate these interceptions at sand barriers in accordance with the distribution of the particles. It was concluded that the effective granulometry strip by Nasutitermes sp. termites at sand barriers from 1.68 to 4.75 mm can be classified as impenetrable.