Lyctus africanus is a cosmopolitan powder-post beetle that is considered one of the major pests threatening timber and timber products. Because infestations of this beetle are inconspicuous, damage is difficult to detect and identification is often delayed. We identified the chemical compounds involved in the aggregation behavior of L. africanus using preparations of crude hexanic extracts from male and female beetles (ME and FE, respectively). Both male and female beetles showed significant preferences for ME, which was found to contain three esters. FE was ignored by both the sexes. Further bioassay confirmed the role of esters in the aggregation behavior of L. africanus. Three esters were identified as 2-propyl dodecanoate, 3-pentyl dodecanoate, and 3-pentyl tetradecanoate. Further behavioral bioassays revealed 3-pentyl dodecanoate to play the main role in the aggregation behavior of female L. africanus beetles. However, significantly more beetles aggregated on a paper disk treated with a blend of the three esters than on a paper disk treated with a single ester. This is the first report on pheromone identification in L. africanus; in addition, the study for the first time presents 3-pentyl dodecanoate as an insect pheromone.

We conducted surveys of termite assemblages and tree trunks damaged by termites in teakwood (Tectona grandis L.f.) plantations. The surveys were conducted in five-, six-, and nine-year-old plantations. We used a standardized belt-transect to collect termites and build tree inventories. Data of collected termites at the genus and functional-group levels and termites’ diversity between plantations were compared with their attack rate. The results showed that four genera of soil recycler termites belonging to groups IIf and III were present across the plantations. Distribution analysis suggested that termite communities might develop from a stochastic distribution to a nonrandom co-occurrence distribution over time. Diversity analysis showed an increased nestedness-resultant diversity contribution to the total dissimilarity over time. Observed attacks on tree trunks were superficial and limited to the outer bark, with group IIf as the main contributor. Furthermore, the level of damage done by termites to tree trunks was positively correlated with increases in the group IIf occupancy area and overgrown understory vegetation. Plantation management by maintaining an adequate understory might suppress termite attacks on fast-growing teakwood, although in the case of our study, termite attacks are inevitable when termites from group IIf were already present.

Powderpost beetles such as Lyctus africanus are a common pest group for dried cured wood, causing significant harm to wood and wood products. We examined the life span and effects of aging and mating status on pheromone production in the powderpost beetle L. africanus (Coleoptera: Lyctinae). Experiments compared starved and unstarved male groups, and chemical analysis was used to determine factors affecting pheromone production. Regarding lifespan, male beetles provided food survived up to 14 weeks, while starved beetles died before the fifth week. Thus, an adult L. africanus male may require food throughout its lifespan, and food availability may affect pheromone production. There was no significant difference in the quantity of two major pheromone compounds, compound 2 (3-pentyl dodecanoate) and 3 (3-pentyl tetradecanoate) between mated and un-mated males. On the other hand, a minor compound, compound 1 (2-propyl dodecanoate) showed increased quantity after mating. The two major compounds were produced in low amounts by young L. africanus beetles, increasing until the fifth week, and beginning to decrease at the ninth week. The minor compound was produced steadily without significant change up to 9 weeks. Our results represent a step forward in the knowledge of the chemical communication of this important pest.

Termites and fungi play an important role through promotion of essential ecological processes in ecosystems such as soil modification and rehabilitation, also decomposition of lignocellulosic materials. However, termite is also known as pest toward vegetation, while fungi can also cause bio-deterioration problems. Biodiversity evaluation of termites and fungi are essential for sustainable management and area planning of botanical garden. Hence, this study reviews the importance of recording biodiversity of fungi and termites in botanical garden in Batam, Riau Island Province and Kuningan, West Java province. The research was conducted by active searching method or exploration on termites and fungi on selected plot areas in the aforementioned botanical gardens. The result of this study indicated that biodiversity of termites and fungi were high on selected areas. The presence of termite and fungi in the ecosystem might beneficially support the ecosystem. However, further studies on ecological condition, soil type and climate need to be addressed to determine their influences on biodiversity of termites and fungi.

Powderpost beetle, Lyctus africanus, is a common dry wood pest in the tropical region. The insect pest damages wood by converting the wood into powdery frass. The damaged wood is created by larvae of L. africanus which digests the starchy wood part into powdery form. The powdery form developed in exit holes from which Lyctus emerges is an indicator of an active infestation. However, the presence of frass could be detected in the delayed period. Developing prevention of Lyctus entrance into the wood is crucial to minimize the losses. Monitoring the Lyctus infestation regularly, as chemical communication practice, leads to green technology in the pest control system. The chemical communication in Lyctus beetle was identified as the pheromone detected in male Lyctus beetle. In contrast, the female crude extract was observed to show none of the attractant behavior. In this study, the activity of female crude extract of Lyctus on the behaviour of the beetle was observed. The extract was from hexane washed of newly emerged female beetle for 24 h. Chemical analysis by GC-MS indicated dominancy of hydrocarbon compounds in the female crude extract. Purification of the hydrocarbon fraction was then conducted in SiO₂ column with hexane solvent. Then, a preference test of the compounds against both male and female beetle was supervised in the Petri dish method. Result of the preference test indicated a repulsion behavior of both female and male beetles. Furthermore, the purified compound increased the repulsion behavior of Lyctus beetle. The hydrocarbon is suggested as a specific compound of female beetle which alters the behaviour of Lyctus beetle.