RESUMO Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do tratamento térmico nas madeiras de Corymbia citriodora e de Pinus taeda visando sua melhorar a resistência ao cupim xilofagos Nasutitermes corniger, por meio de ensaios de alimentação forçada. As temperaturas utilizadas nos tratamentos térmico das madeiras foram 160, 180, 200, 220 e 240 ºC. Para o Pinus taeda também foi empregada a temperatura de 260 ºC. Três pranchas de 6 × 16 × 56 cm (espessura × largura × comprimento) foram confeccionadas para avaliar os efeitos de cada temperatura investigada. Depois de tratadas, as pranchas forma transformadas em amostras de dimensões 2,54 × 2,54 × 0,64 centímetros (longitudinal ×radial × tangencial radial). O experimento foi mantidos numa sala climatizada (25 ± 2 ºC e 65 ± 5% de umidade relativa) durante 28 dias. Para a madeira de Corymbia citriodora, o tratamento térmico de 220 e 240 ºC aumentou a resistência ao ataque do cupim. Para as madeiras de Pinus taeda, a melhoria da resistência ocorreu a 240 e 260 ºC. A temperatura de 160 ºC provocou um decréscimo na resistência natural de ambas as espécies.

ABSTRACT This research aimed to evaluate the effect of the thermal-treated temperature to improvement of Corymbia citriodora and Pinus taeda wood resistance to the xylophagous termite Nasutitermes corniger, into forced feeding assay. The wood thermally treated was performed at temperatures of 160, 180, 200, 220, 240ºC. For Pinus taeda, the temperature of 260ºC was also used. Three boards of 6 × 16 × 56 cm (thickness × width x length) were used for each temperature. After being thermally treated, the boards were transformed into samples of 2.54 × 2.54 × 0.64 cm (longitudinal × radial × tangential). The experiment was kept in a climatized room (25 ± 2ºC and 65 ± 5% of relative humidity), for 28 days. For Corymbia citriodora, the thermal treatment at 220 and 240ºC improved the resistance to the termite. For Pinus taeda, the resistance improvement occurred at 240 and 260ºC. The temperature of 160ºC caused a decrease in the natural durability of both species.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of thermal treatment on the resistance of Corymbia citriodora and Pinus taeda woods to the xylophagous termite Nasutitermes corniger, in a food preference test. We used temperatures of 100 °C (control), 160 °C, 180 °C, 200 °C, 220 °C, 240 °C for both wood species, and 260 °C only for Pinus taeda. Three wood planks measuring 6 cm x 16 cm x 56 cm (thickness x width x length) were thermally treated and manufactured in specimens of 10.0 cm x 2.54 cm x 0.64 cm (longitudinal x radial x tangential). Specimens were distributed in randomized blocks, with six treatments (Corymbia citriodora) and seven treatments (Pinus taeda) with 10 repetitions in a 250 liters box with 10 cm of sand; specimens were inserted in the sand, up to 1/3 of their height. The test was maintained for 45 days under laboratory conditions (25 °C ± 2 °C and 65% ± 5% relative humidity). Temperatures of 220 °C and 240 °C slightly improved the resistance of Corymbia citriodora wood to the termite. Improvements on Pinus taeda wood happened at temperatures of 240 °C and 260 °C. The temperatures of 160 °C for the eucalyptus wood and 200 °C for pinus decreased their resistance to the tested termite.

El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar el efecto del proceso de modificación térmica en la resistencia de las maderas Corymbia citriodora y Pinus taeda a ser ingerida por la termita xilófaga Nasutitermes corniger, en ensayos de preferencia de alimento. Se probaron temperaturas de 100 °C (testigo), 160 °C, 180 °C, 200 °C, 220 °C, 240 °C, además de 260 °C para el Pinus taeda. Se sometieron al proceso de modificación térmica tres tablones de madera de 6 cm x 16 cm x 56 cm (grosor x ancho x largo), y después fueron transformados en especímenes de 10,0 cm x 2,54 cm x 0,64 cm (longitudinal x radial x tangencial). Los especímenes fueron distribuidos en bloques aleatorios, y sometidos a seis tratamientos (Corymbia citriodora) y siete tratamientos (Pinus taeda) con 10 repeticiones por tratamiento, en cajas de 250 litros con una cama de 10 cm de arena. Los especímenes de prueba se hincaron en la arena hasta 1/3 de su longitud y fueron expuestos al ataque de las termitas. El ensayo fue mantenido durante 45 días bajo condiciones del laboratorio (25 ºC ± 2 ºC y 65 % ± 5% de humedad relativa). Para la madera de Corymbia citriodora, las temperaturas de 220 °C y 240 °C mejoraron sensiblemente la resistencia a la termita. Para el Pinus taeda la mejoría ocurrió con las temperaturas de 240 °C y 260 °C. La temperatura de 160 °C para la madera de C. citriodora y la de 200 °C para el P. taeda causaron disminución en la resistencia a la termita estudiada.