Animal Species:Powder Post Borer
The Powder Post Borer is a member of the family Bostrichidae. It is a serious pest in Australia but is not an Australian native.
A Powder Post Borer specimen
Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum
Size range
3 mm - 4 mm
Distribution
The Powder Post Borer is found throughout Australia.
Habitat
The Powder Post Borer lives in urban areas.
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/social 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.
Classification
- Species:
- brunneus
- Genus:
- Lyctus
- Subfamily:
- Lyctinae
- Family:
- Bostrichidae
- Superfamily:
- Bostrichoidea
- Suborder:
- Polyphaga
- Order:
- Coleoptera
- Class:
- Insecta
- Subphylum:
- Uniramia
- Phylum:
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
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Tags beetles, insects, arthropods, invertebrates, identification, wildlife of sydney, pests,