Western Exterminators - Pest Control Services California, Arizona, Nevada

Other Wood Destroying Organisms: Brown Rot | Deathwatch Beetle (Anobiid) | False (or Large) Powderpost Beetle | True Powderpost Beetle (Lyctid)

	Common name:	Latin name:	Class:	Order:	Family:
	True Powderpost Beetle (Lyctid)	Various scientific names	Insecta	Coleoptera	Lyctidae

	Size:
	Adults are small, ranging from 1/32 to 1/4 inch (1-7 mm) long, depending on species. Larvae are up to 1/4 inch (6 mm) long.
	Characteristics:
	Adult has a long, narrow, flat body with sides almost parallel; head and often jaws can be seen in top view; 11-segmented antenna with a distinct 2-segmented club; wing covers are often with rows of hairs. Larva is C-shaped, with enlarged thorax, short 4-segmented antennae and legs with long claw.
	Color:
	Adult is reddish brown to black. Larva is nearly white.
	Droppings:
	Fine, powdery frass containing no pellets or wood fragments.
	Where Found:
	Around the world; about 11 species in the United States.
	Comparison:
	Frass of the Deathwatch Beetles (anobiids) and False Powderpost Beetles (bostrichids) is coarser, not as "powdery", and contains pellets or fine wood fragments. Flat Bark beetles have (mostly) long, threadlike antennae. False Powderpost Beetles are usually cylindrical, with rasp-like teeth, and a head not easily seen from the top. Deathwatch Beetles have a hood-like prothorax that hides the head from above, antennae with the last 3 antennal segments lengthened or expanded. Bark and Ambrosia Beetles are cylindrical, with antennae elbowed and clubbed. Pinhole Borers and Ambrosia Beetles are cylindrical, with the antennal club large, flat, 1-segmented.
	Habitat:
	Sapwood of hardwoods, such as oak, hickory, ash, and other natives (as well as tropical species, such as bamboo), that is usually less than 10 years old, with wood moisture content of about 10-20%.
	Food:
	Live in the wood they eat. They usually attack oak, hickory, and ash, but will attack other native and tropical hardwoods. Lyctids often attack bamboo.
	Biology:
	Adults are active at night, fly well, and are attracted to light. Often found near windows or windowsills. Female lays (15-50) eggs in exposed wood pores, cracks and crevices, but never on wood that is painted, polished or waxed. Larvae bore tunnel in sapwood, along the grain, packing tunnels loosely with very fine, powdery, flour-like dust. After several molts (2-9 months), mature larva bores back to near the surface to build a chamber and pupate. Adult bores out to the surface to exit and mate, doing very little feeding. Development from egg to adult is 9-12 months, but can be as little as 3-4 months or as long as a few years.
	Damage:
	Attack lumber and manufactured products as well as structural timbers, although hardwoods are not often used today for this purpose.
	Invasion:
	Eggs and larvae enter via unfinished, infested wood during seasoning or storage.
	Control:
	Wood Destroying Organism control requires inspection of the structure by a registered company and state licensed inspector to find and identify conditions. A written report will be issued. This report must list findings and appropriate recommendations as per the rules and regulations established by the regulatory agencies in the various States. Consult with you local office for the requirements that effect your structure. Look for round exit holes with a diameter of about 1/32-1/16 inch, piles of very fine powdery dust which falls easily from holes, and the presence of emerging adults during late winter/early spring. During this time eggs are laid and larva begin to bore through the wood. Appropriate recommendations can be made once a proper inspection is performed. Fumigation of the entire structure may be recommended or treatment with other registered materials may be made locally. Replacement or reinforcement of infested or damaged wood members may be made.