Insect testing in the laboratory

Evaluation of the performance of both beetles and termites can be carried out in the laboratory. 

Plate 6 L-joint testing (EN 330) for coated and uncoated samples. 

Plate 7 Forest Research Institute field stake test site, NZ. 

Preservative evaluation standards include European Standard, EN 275 (1992), or American Wood Preservers Association standard, E5-00. (AWPA, 2002). 

Determination of performance is through visual examination of the degrade caused by the borers, and the period of evaluation can be anywhere from 3 months to 5 years depending on the water temperature and occurrence of borers at a given location. A concise review of both the occurrence of marine borer attack and testing procedures is given by Eaton and Hale, 1993. 

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