Wood Protection by Interfering with Insect Behavior: Adequacy of Laboratory Test Designs

Abstract:
Standardized test methods by which the efficacies of conventional chemical wood preservatives against insects determine their toxic effects against larvae of wood boring beetles or their feeding prevention by termites. Although alternative control strategies to the application of biocides exist, such as interference with insect behavior during mating or when searching for suitable breeding and feeding sites, their acceptance, too, depends on efficacy evaluation. This is why new test set ups are needed which take behavior modifying control strategies into account. This paper will demonstrate how new laboratory tests must be designed or how existing standards can be altered to reliably interpret insect behavior including its successful manipulation in a standardized format.