Role of insects and marine organisms in Wood biodeterioration

Timbers are subjected to rapid deterioration by variety of organisms. The wood in living trees and also in used products would start to decay and decompose with the attack of organisms which is termed as the biodegradation of wood. The biodegradation is supposed to be one of the major challenges to incur the heavy economic loss. Insects (Coleoptera, Isoptera, Lepidoptera and Hemiptera) and microorganisms like Fungi are the most important and most frequently found biodegrading organisms attacking wood. Wood is used by these organisms for food, shelter and breeding. About 120 commercially important timber species are being extracted from the natural forests in Kerala and stored in depots. The stored timber is often attacked by wood destroying insects belong to the orders coleopteran (beetles) and Isopteran (termites). This book will bring the readers the idea about role of wood degradation by insects and marine organisms. Moreover one can start conducting research by the idea defined in this book.