Forest insect pests of Papua New Guinea - 3: white ants (termites) attacks on plantation trees

Abstract

Healthy trees can normally resist insect attack, but where trees are unhealthy successful invasion by insects will follow. Such poor health does not have to be obvious to the human eye for attack to occur. Chemi­cal changes inside the 'sick' trees cause them to 'smell' differently. Insects quickly become aware of these 'smells'. Termites (white ants) are one group of insects which can take advantage of such unhealthy trees. In plantations forest/timber opera­tions are usually the reason why trees lose their healthy condition.