Scobicia
Lesne, 1901
horned powder-post beetles
Scobicia is a of wood-boring in the , containing approximately 11 described . Members are small beetles, with of at least one species measuring 3.3–4.5 mm in length. The genus is placed in the tribe Xyloperthini and is distributed across southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East. At least some species are pests of dead or felled timber, creating extensive tunnel systems in stored wood.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Scobicia: //skoʊˈbɪʃiə//
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Identification
Small with compact bodies. of S. chevrieri measure 3.3–4.5 mm long and 1.2–1.5 mm wide. The is distinguished within by characters placing it in tribe Xyloperthini. Specific diagnostic features for the genus require taxonomic .
Images
Habitat
Dead wood of felled timber; wooden branches (3–18 cm diameter) stored outdoors for at least one year. Living trees are not infested.
Distribution
Mediterranean region and adjacent areas: Italy (Alps, Tyrol, Sardinia, Sicily), French Mediterranean coast, Corsica, Spain (Málaga, Seville, Córdoba), Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Caucasus, Crimea, Cyprus, and Greece (Attika near Athens).
Diet
Wood (); tunnels through dead wood creating galleries.
Host Associations
- Brachychiton acerifolium - new record
- Brachychiton diversifolium - new record
- Ficus sp. -
- Morus sp. -
- Quercus ilex -
- Quercus robur -
- Quercus coccifera -
- Laurus nobilis -
- Pistacia lentiscus -
- Betula sp. -
- Vitis labrusca -
- Punica granatum -
- Castanea sp. -
- Eucalyptus spp. -
Behavior
Creates tunnel openings approximately 1.5 mm in diameter on exterior of wood; causes almost complete interior deterioration through numerous galleries. more severe on Brachychiton acerifolium than B. diversifolium. Does not attack living trees.
Ecological Role
of dead wood; pest of stored/felled timber.
Human Relevance
Serious pest of felled timber and stored wood products. Causes structural damage through extensive tunneling.
Similar Taxa
- Rhysopertha dominicaAlso a pest, but differs in being a of stored wheat rather than wood-borer.
- Dinoderus minutusBamboo-boring ; differs in preference and geographic origin.
- Dinoderus brevisBamboo-boring ; differs in preference and geographic origin.