Non-audible acoustic emission characterization of Reticulitermes termites in pine wood

Abstract

This research evaluates and characterizes the acoustic emission activity generated by Reticulitermes termites as recorded by piezoelectric sensors with sensitivity in the ultrasound range (greater than 20 kHz). To this end, the acoustic emission activity was recorded under controlled conditions of temperature and moisture content in three pine wood samples in which termites were artificially inoculated: only soldiers, only workers, or a colony of workers and soldiers. Different traditional parameters of the acoustic emission signals were analyzed, in both the time and frequency domains. This study proved feasible to use acoustic emission to detect the activity of this kind of termites, although it was not possible to distinguish between workers and soldiers. It is also demonstrated that, by using several sensors, one can locate the activity of the insects, a finding of great practical interest for the accurate detection of colonies in real buildings.