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POWDER POST BEETLE - Lyctus brunneus

Timbers attacked

Sapwood of seasoned wide-pored hardwoods with a high starch content. Timbers over 15 years old not attacked.

Damage

Tunnels tend to run along grain; often causes 'surface' tunnelling where timbers are stacked.
Tunnels filled with loose flour-like dust. Round emergence holes 1-2mm diameter.

Life cycle

1-2 years outdoors; 8-10 months indoors

i. Adult: Emerge outdoors July -August; anytime indoors.
ii. Eggs: Laid down open vessels; white, elongated with tail. Hatch in 2-3 weeks.
iii. Larva: Initially feed and bore along grain.
iv. Pupa: White; looks more like a beetle than a larva.

Notes

Unlikely to be found in the average domestic environment. Usually a problem in timber yards or stores of hardwoods, e.g., furniture factories.Where found in a building the origin is usually from such storage areas.
Can be confused with Furniture Beetle damage.

Quick Identification

Hardwoods; loose flour-like frass.