Home >> Science & Nature >> Nature

How to Identify Wood-Destroying Beetles

The larvae of several beetle families feed by boring through the wood either of trees or lumber. These beetles can be of great concern because of their ability to compromise structures and damage living trees. Proper management of wood-damaging beetles is only possible if you correctly identify the beetle; you can accomplish this by examining a specimen. Most of the larvae look similar, so identifying the adult is easiest. Most wood-damaging beetles belong to one of four groups: powderpost beetles, metallic wood-boring beetles, longhorn beetles or weevils.

Things You'll Need

Hand lens or magnifying glass

Instructions

- 1
  
  Metallic wood-boring beetles are shiny and tapered at both ends.
  
  Examine the shape of the beetle, using a hand lens for magnification if required. The metallic wood-boring beetles are long and narrow in shape, and distinctly tapered at each end. They typically appear shiny and metallic. No other wood-damaging beetle is this shape.
- 2
  
  Longhorn beetles have antennae that are longer than their bodies.
  
  Look at the antennae of the beetle. Longhorn beetles are characterized by antennae that are longer than the entire body. All other wood-damaging beetles have short antennae.
- 3
  
  Weevils have a long snout with the mouth at the end.
  
  Examine the beetle's face. Weevils have an elongated snout, with the mouth at the very end. The antennae project from about halfway down the snout. No other wood-destroying beetle has a distinct snout.
- 4
  Examine the beetle again, paying close attention to its shape and color. If the beetle is not a metallic wood-borer, longhorn or weevil, it is likely a powderpost beetle. Powderpost beetles are small, cylindrical in shape and usually reddish-brown or black. There are two families of powderpost beetles: Anobiidae and Bostrichidae.
- 5
  Look at the beetle from the top. If the head is easily visible, the beetle belongs to the family Bostrichidae. If the head is not visible from the top, it could belong to either family.
- 6
  Examine the beetle's antennae again using the hand lens or magnifying glass and look closely at the ends. If there is an enlargement, or club, at the end of the antennae, the beetle belongs to the family Bostrichidae. If the antennae are not clubbed, it belongs to the family Anobiidae.

Nature