Navy Research on Marine Borers and the Laboratory Culturing of Limnorians

The Naval Research Laboratory´s investigation of the protection of wood in marine service which began with an in depth study of creosote, is now concentrating on a study of the active antiborer constituents of naturally bioresistant woods. This work is now focussing on woods which are resistant to limnorians, marine crustacean isopods, because most current protective measures are inadequate against these pests. In order to study the effect of the natural wood extractives on the physiology of these marine borers under controlled conditions, a laboratory culture of Limnoria tripunctata has been established using a closed recirculating aquarium system. The usual invertebrate closed aquarium culture techniques have been modified to fit our needs. This includes the redesign of the biological filter bed, and its location outside each aquarium. A full description of our closed recirculating aquarium system and the procedures for its maintenance are given.