Powder post beetle
(Lyctus species)
There are actually four beetle of the Lyctus species which attack wood in the British Isles. They all resemble each other closely in their appearance, habits and the damage they cause. The most common of them is Lyctus brunneus.
Only the sapwood of certain hardwoods is attacked, usually within the first few years after felling and wood over 15 years old is unlikely to be attacked. It is a very serious pest of new timber and timber yards.
Attack is usually encountered in hardwood furniture and flooring of timbers such as Oak, Ash, Walnut, Willow, Elm, Sycamore.
The working of this insect is quite different to the common furniture beetle and the death watch beetle. Flight holes are about 2mm in size, but within the attacked wood there are no distinctive tunnels as the wood is destroyed in layers, leaving a thin veneer of sound wood on the surface, and the bore dust is very fine and powdery.
The life cycle of the powder post beetle is 1-2 years, but may be less in hot buildings. Adults emerge between May and September and females lay 70-220 eggs.
