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Wood Boring Powderpost Beetles
- Beetles that infest softwoods can be the most damaging -
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Summary: The term "powderpost" beetle, or woodworm, refers to the type of damage done by several different wood boring beetles. These beetles infest both hardwoods, like oak and ash, and softwoods like pine and fir.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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Woodworms & powderpost beetles
 Powderpost beetles, or woodworms, are potentially the most destructive beetle pests of seasoned wood (overall, termites are more destructive). These small, wood-boring insects may damage both hardwoods such as oak, maple, and ash, and softwoods like pine, fir, and spruce. What makes these beetles so potentially damaging is their ability to infest relatively dry, seasoned wood over many generations. There are other wood boring insects that do not usually infest wood after the first generation which limits their potential for damage (see A List of the Wood Damaging Insects for descriptions of these pests).
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lyctid powderpost beetle (~ 1/8" long)
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Some powderpost beetles infest softwoods like pine and fir while others infest hardwoods like oak and ash. Those that infest softwoods tend to be the most damaging because they can weaken buildings when they damage structural wood such as beams. Fortunately, softwood-infesting species are somewhat easier to control. Those species that infest hardwoods cause both cosmetic and structural damage to wood floors, cabinets and furniture and can be more difficult to control (see Damage to Floors, Cabinets and Furniture).
Woodworm infestations can often be managed with relatively low toxicity chemicals like sodium borate, such as Timbor or Bora Care, applied to the wood surfaces. In other situations the best approach may be simply to monitor with "watchful waiting" (see How to Treat Wood Boring Beetles and use the Related Articles below to explore these options).
other common names: powder post beetles, wood worms
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Life cycle
Wood boring powderpost beetles spend most of their lives as larvae ("woodworms") in wood where they tunnel in search of the starch and other nutrients they need. Development time varies depending on temperature, moisture and starch content of the wood but can last months to several years, and even longer for some species.
Once they complete development larvae tunnel back to the surface where they pupate to adult beetles. Beetles chew the last few millimeters and emerge through round emergence holes (see Powderpost Beetles and Hardwood Floors for a picture). Adult beetles live only long enough to mate and lay eggs for the next generation. Eggs are laid on unfinished wood because young larvae cannot bore through varnish or paint.
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.
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