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POWDERPOST BEETLES
Gary W. Bennett, Extension Entomologist 
Powderpost beetles are second only to termites asdestroyers of seasoned wood, such as that used inbuildings and furniture. There are several kinds ofpowderpost beetles, but they all damage wood in aboutthe same way and require the same control measures.The most common species in Indiana is the Lyctus beetle,which attacks the sapwood portion of hardwoods such asoak, hickory, ash, and walnut. Other species feed inheartwood as well as sapwood, and will also attack pinesand the softer woods.
TYPE OF DAMAGE AND WHERE IT OCCURS
The surface of powderpost beetle-infested wood isperforated with numerous small “shot holes,” each aboutthe size of a pencil lead or slightly larger. Any slight jarringof the wood causes a fine, flour-like powder to sift fromthese holes. When cut or broken, the interior of infestedwood may reveal masses of this finely-packed powder.Sub-flooring, hardwood flooring, joists, sills, platesand interior trim are the parts of buildings most frequentlyattacked. Other wood products like hickory furniture,implement handles and ladders may also be damaged. Ifinfestations in wood are not treated, the structuralstrength of the wood can eventually be seriously de-pleted.
LIFE HISTORY
Powderpost beetles are small (about 1/12 to 1/5 inchlong) and usually reddish-brown to nearly black. Theyemerge from infested wood from late winter through earlysummer. During this time, the females lay eggs in thewood pores. These eggs hatch into tiny curved grubs thateat into the wood, packing their burrows with the finelypulverized wood. When fully grown, the grubs go througha pupal stage and once again emerge as beetles. Pow-derpost beetles require from a few months to severalyears to complete one generation, depending on thespecies and the starch content of the wood.
Household & Public Health
Department of Entomology 
E-73
The typical life cycle of a lyctid powderpost beetle.
lyctid powderpost beetle: a, larva, b, adult
ADULT1 to 35 daysFlying, mating, egglayingEGG1 to 4 weeksLaid on or inwoodPUPA1 to 4 weeksChange from larvato adult occursnear wood surfaceLARVA11/2 months to 12 yearsFeeding within wood
The larval, or grub, stage, in which the wood-destroying beetles do their damage, is long inproportion to the rest of the life cycle.
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