Powder Post Borer
Scientific name: Lyctus brunneus
Click to enlarge image
Powder Post Borer, Lyctus brunneus
Image: Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Lyctus
- Species
- brunneus
- Subfamily
- Lyctinae
- Family
- Bostrichidae
- Super Family
- Bostrichoidea
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 3 mm - 4 mm
Introduction
The Powder Post Borer is a member of the family Bostrichidae. It is a serious pest in Australia but is not an Australian native.
Habitat
The Powder Post Borer lives in urban areas.
Distribution
The Powder Post Borer is found throughout Australia.
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
Other behaviours and adaptations
Female Powder Post Borers lay eggs into hardwood timber and, on hatching, the grubs feed on the starch present in the wood. The larvae pupate into adult beetles, which then bore their way out of the wood.
Economic impacts
The Powder Post Borer leaves timber riddled with small holes approximately 2 mm in diameter, seriously affecting its strength. As a result, New South Wales legislation only allows a limited amount of susceptible types of wood to be used in building construction.
