Lyctids/Powderpost Beetles

The term powderpost beetle, used in the broad sense, applies to any of three closely related families (Lyctidae, Bostrichidae, and Anobiidae) within the superfamily of Bosstrichoidea. The common name is appropriate because the larvae of these beetles reduce timbers to a mass of very fine, powderlike material, The adults do very little actual damage to wood, serving primarily a reproductive function. There are certain differences in structure, behavior, and nutrition among these groups, and these differences have led to the separation of the families discussed in the following sections.
Among the many different kinds of insects that attack wood and wood products, the destructiveness of powderpost beetles is second only to that of termites. Powerpost beetles cause millions of dollars worth of damage in the United States each year. They infest and reinfest dry seasoned wood, with the interior of such wood (usually the sapwood only) being completely riddled with holes or galleries and packed with wood dust and frass. Pinhole openings, often called shot holes, perforate the surface of infested wood.
Adult Lyctid lay their eggs in the surface pores of wood. The eggs are long and cylindrical, rather then round as with many other insects. Larvae bore into wood as soon as they hatch. Larvae are white with dark brown heads and mandibles. The front end of the body is larger then the back and bears three minute pairs of legs. Examining the last pair of spiracles, which are much larger then the others can easily identify Lyctid larvae. Larvae live in the wood, creating galleries (tunnels) as they eat the wood. When the larvae are nearly full grown and ready to pupate, they bore near to the surface of the wood pupate. Adults bore out through the surfaced soon after pupation, pushing a fine, powdery wood dust out of the wood as they emerge.

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