Hardwood-pest
Guides
Alniphagus aspericollis
alder bark beetle
Alniphagus aspericollis is a hardwood-killing bark beetle that colonizes and kills red alder (Alnus rubra) and thinleaf alder (Alnus tenuifolia). Unlike most tree-killing bark beetles that attack conifers, this species is one of the few capable of directly killing hardwood hosts. It is bivoltine in southwestern British Columbia, with principal attacks in May and a second generation from mid-July to early August. The beetle constructs maternal galleries parallel to the bole in the phloem-cambium, where larvae develop and pupate. It shows loose associations with ophiostomatoid fungi but has a consistent relationship with an undescribed Neonectria species that may function as a symbiote.
Archodontes
Archodontes is a monotypic genus of root-boring beetles in the family Cerambycidae, containing the single species Archodontes melanopus. The genus is endemic to Central America and the south-eastern United States, where larvae bore into the roots of oaks and other hardwood trees. Adults are large, robust beetles with distinctive spiny thoracic margins and dark coloration.
Archodontes melanopus
Live-oak Root Borer
Archodontes melanopus is a large root-boring beetle in the family Cerambycidae, and the sole species in the genus Archodontes. Native to the southeastern United States and Central America, it bores into the roots of oaks and other hardwood trees. The species was originally described by Linnaeus in 1767 as Cerambyx melanopus. Adults are active during warmer months and are attracted to lights.
Arrenodes minutus
Oak Timberworm
Arrenodes minutus, commonly known as the oak timberworm, is the sole species in the genus Arrenodes, a primitive weevil genus in the family Brentidae. This wood-boring beetle is a pest of hardwoods in North America, with larvae tunneling through the xylem of wounded or recently felled trees. The species exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism in mouthpart structure: females possess elongated, slender rostra for drilling egg holes into wood, while males have shortened, broadened mandibles used for combat and courtship. The life cycle spans two to four years, with adults active from May through August.
Corthylus
ambrosia beetles, timber beetles
Corthylus is a genus of ambrosia beetles in the family Curculionidae containing more than 190 described species. Species in this genus are characterized by their symbiotic relationships with fungi, which they cultivate in galleries bored into wood. Several species are significant forest pests, attacking hardwood trees and causing structural damage through gallery construction and associated fungal infections that lead to wood rot and tree mortality. The genus includes economically important species such as the Columbian timber beetle (C. columbianus) and C. zulmae, which impact timber production and reforestation efforts.
Corthylus columbianus
Columbian timber beetle, chestnut timber worm
Corthylus columbianus is a scolytid beetle (Curculionidae) native to North America. It is a pest of living hardwood trees, particularly attacking the heartwood and phloem of species such as maple, oak, beech, hickory, and elm. The beetle has a complex life cycle with delayed adult emergence and exhibits dynamic population distribution patterns within forest stands, forming shifting epicenters of attack density. It is associated with ambrosia fungi that cause wood staining and degrade timber quality.
Datana drexelii-major
Datana drexelii-major is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae. The genus Datana contains multiple species of late-season defoliators that feed on hardwood trees. Larvae of Datana species are known to be gregarious feeders and can cause localized defoliation, though typically without significant long-term impacts to tree health. The specific taxonomic status and distinguishing features of D. drexelii-major relative to other Datana species require further clarification.
Datana ministra
yellownecked caterpillar, Yellow-necked Caterpillar Moth
Datana ministra is a moth in the family Notodontidae, commonly known as the yellownecked caterpillar. The species is distributed across southern Canada and the eastern United States, extending west to California. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 42 mm and produce one generation per year. The larvae are notable defoliators of various hardwood trees.
Heterobostrychus aequalis
oriental wood borer, lesser auger beetle, oriental bostrichid
Heterobostrychus aequalis is a horned powder-post beetle (family Bostrichidae) and serious pest of seasoned hardwood timber. Native to tropical and subtropical Asia, it has been introduced to multiple continents including North America, Australia, Africa, and Oceania. The species attacks starch-rich sapwood of timber and wood products, often remaining undetected until emergence holes and frass appear. In Florida, it has been intercepted at ports and is now established in the wild. In Australia, its establishment status remains ambiguous despite multiple detections, with evidence suggesting at most a tenuous local population in northern Queensland rather than widespread establishment.
Lochmaeus bilineata
Double-lined Prominent, double-lined prominent moth
Lochmaeus bilineata, commonly known as the double-lined prominent moth, is a notodontid moth found across eastern North America. Adults are active from spring through fall depending on latitude, with a wingspan of 32–40 mm. The larvae feed on the foliage of several hardwood tree genera including Fagus, Quercus, Tilia, Betula, and Ulmus. As a late-season defoliator, it typically causes minor, localized damage that does not threaten overall tree health.
Lyctoxylon
Lyctoxylon is a genus of powderpost beetles in the family Bostrichidae, subfamily Lyctinae. The genus was established by Reitter in 1878. Members are woodboring beetles that infest dry, seasoned hardwoods. Lyctoxylon dentatum, the type species, has been introduced to multiple continents beyond its native Asian range.
Lyctus carbonarius
southern lyctus beetle
Lyctus carbonarius is a wood-boring beetle in the family Bostrichidae, commonly known as the southern lyctus beetle. It is a serious pest of hardwoods, particularly ash, hickory, oak, maple, and mahogany. The species has been introduced to multiple continents through international timber trade and can infest finished wood products in homes, including flooring, furniture, and structural timbers. Infestations often begin before construction of wood articles and can remain undetected until adult emergence holes appear.
Lyctus cavicollis
shiny powderpost beetle, western lyctus beetle
Lyctus cavicollis is a species of powderpost beetle in the family Bostrichidae. Commonly known as the shiny powderpost beetle or western lyctus beetle, it occurs across Australia, Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species is part of a genus known for infesting and damaging seasoned hardwoods.
Lyctus linearis
European lyctus beetle, powderpost beetle
Lyctus linearis is a wood-boring beetle in the family Bostrichidae, commonly known as the European lyctus beetle or a powderpost beetle. Originally native to tropical regions, it has established populations worldwide through human transport of wood products. It is a significant pest of hardwood timber and finished wood products, causing damage through larval feeding that reduces wood to a fine powder. The species shows particular association with deciduous tree woods.
Lyctus opaculus
powder-post beetle
Lyctus opaculus is a powder-post beetle in the family Bostrichidae. It occurs in North America, with records from Canada (Ontario and Québec) and the United States. The species belongs to a genus whose members are known for infesting seasoned hardwoods.
Paleacrita vernata
Spring Cankerworm, Spring Cankerworm Moth
Paleacrita vernata is a geometrid moth known as the spring cankerworm. Males have functional wings and fly from February to late May, while females are wingless and climb tree trunks to lay eggs. The larvae are defoliators of deciduous trees and shrubs, with documented feeding on Acer, Ulmus, Betula, Prunus, and Quercus species. The species has been observed using flax as a secondary host, indicating broader host flexibility than previously recognized.
Polycaon stoutii
Stout's branch borer, black polycaon, Stout's Hardwood Borer
Polycaon stoutii is a woodboring beetle in the family Bostrichidae. Adults are cylindrical, hairy, and black, measuring 10-23 mm. The species is native to western North America but has been introduced to other regions through wood commerce. It is known for exceptionally long larval development periods and occasional emergence from finished wood products.
Prionoxystus robiniae
Carpenterworm Moth, Locust Borer
Prionoxystus robiniae is a moth in the family Cossidae, found across much of North America from southern Canada through most of the United States. Adults are active from May to July, with wingspans ranging from 43–85 mm. The larvae are wood-borers that tunnel into hardwood trees, causing economic damage to timber. Females release sex pheromones to attract males, which fly upwind to locate them; mating occurs at dusk and early night, with copulation lasting 1–2 hours.
Scobicia chevrieri
horned powder-post beetle
Scobicia chevrieri is a small wood-boring beetle in the family Bostrichidae. Adults measure 3.3–4.5 mm in length and 1.2–1.5 mm in width. The species is a pest of cut and stored wood, creating galleries that cause severe interior deterioration of branches. It has been recorded across the Mediterranean region, North Africa, the Middle East, and introduced to North America.