A new method to obtain good anatomical slides of heterogeneous plant parts
A new method is presented to prepare anatomical slides of plant materials including a combination of soft and hard tissues, such as stems with cambial variants, arboreal monocotyledons, and tree bark. The method integrates previous techniques aimed at softening the samples and making them thereby more homogeneous, with the use of anti-tearing polystyrene foam solution. In addition, we suggest two other alternatives to protect the sections from tearing: adhesive tape and/or Mayer’s albumin adhesive, both combined with the polystyrene foam solution. This solution is cheap and easy to make by dissolving any packaging polystyrene in butyl acetate. It is applied before each section is cut on a sliding microtome and ensures that all the tissues in the section will hold together. This novel microtechnical procedure will facilitate the study of heterogeneous plant portions, as shown in some illustrated examples
A.C.F. Barbosa, M.R. Pace, L. Witovisk & V. Angyalossy
IAWA J. 31 (4): 373-383
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This species is restricted to the West, ranging from British Columbia to Mexico. 
As their name implies, dampwood termites locate their colonies in damp, sometimes decaying wood. Representatives of three termite families (Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Termopsidae) are included in this distinct habitat group. These termites vary in appearance from family to family. Almost all are larger than the eastern/western, desert subterranean termites with the nymphs being up to 3/4" (20 mm) long and the swarmers up to 1" (25 mm) long, including wings. They occur in the Pacific Coastal and adjacent states, the desert or semi-arid Southwest, and Southern Florida. 
These insects live in wood which has a relatively low moisture content (12% or less), in the Western United States, Northwestern Mexico, and Florida. They are swarmers 7/16" to 1/2 " long including wings. Their heads and pronotums are orange brown, abdomens are dark brown, and wing membranes and hardened veins are blackened. They have Antenna with 10-11 segments. They are not hairy, their tibia exhibit no spines along their length and they have no pad between their claws. 
Several species of carpenter ants, Camponotus spp., are capable of damaging wood in buildings and other structures. Carpenter ants cause problems mainly in mountainous areas and in forested rural areas along the central and northern coastlines of California; they may also invade buildings in urban locations.
Anobiids Beetles are the most commonly encountered of the powderpost beetles. They are also called Deathwatch beetles because of a tapping sound they make when mating. Heard in the quiet of the night by people sitting with an ill person, this tapping was believed to indicate that death was near. 
Wood Decay fungus (poria incrassata)
