Powder Post Beetles

Powderpost beetles are so named because feeding by the larval stages can reduce wood to a powder-like consistency. Wood typically is degraded to a powderpost condition when it is heavily infested or repeatedly attacked over an extended period of time by beetles in the families Lyctidae, Anobiidae, and Bostrichidae. A common name of lyctids is “true powderpost beetles.” Bostrichids are sometimes called “false powderpost beetles” because they differ from lyctids in adult appearance, size of exit holes, and frass characteristics. The common name “anobiids” refers to the beetle family, Anobiidae. All three types of these beetles are of particular concern in structures because they can breed in (re-infest) wood in use.