Wood-borer
Guides
Lymexyloidea
ship-timber beetles
Lymexyloidea is a superfamily of beetles containing the single family Lymexylidae, commonly known as ship-timber beetles. These beetles are characterized by highly reduced elytra that expose the elongated abdomen and leave hind wings uncovered. The superfamily has a pantropical distribution with records from Africa, Central America, South America, and other regions. Members of this group have historically been considered among the most primitive beetles due to their simple morphology, though current phylogenetic analyses place them within or near the Tenebrionoidea. The oldest known fossil is a primitive Atractocerus from 100 million-year-old Burmese amber, earning the group the moniker 'living fossils.'
Magdalis armicollis
Red Elm Bark Weevil
Magdalis armicollis is a bark weevil in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as the red elm bark weevil. The species is strongly associated with elm trees (Ulmus), with larvae developing within wood and adults feeding on foliage. It occurs across eastern and central North America. The common name refers to its association with red elm (Ulmus rubra).
Megacyllene antennata
Mesquite Borer
Megacyllene antennata is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. Larvae develop in woody tissues of mesquite trees (Prosopis spp., Fabaceae). Adult males produce a pheromone blend containing (S)-α-terpineol and (E)-2-hexenol, which attracts both sexes. The species was described by White in 1855 and is less boldly patterned than related eastern species such as M. robiniae and M. caryae.
Megacyllene caryae
painted hickory borer, hickory borer
Megacyllene caryae, known as the painted hickory borer or hickory borer, is a longhorned beetle species in the family Cerambycidae. It occurs in the eastern United States and has been introduced to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. Adults are active exclusively in spring, emerging from dead hickory wood as temperatures warm. The species is frequently misidentified as the closely related locust borer (M. robiniae) due to their nearly identical appearance, though they differ in seasonality, host plants, and subtle morphological characters.
Megacyllene robiniae
Locust Borer
Megacyllene robiniae, the locust borer, is a longhorn beetle endemic to eastern North America and a significant pest of black locust trees (Robinia pseudoacacia). Adults are active from late August through October, feeding on goldenrod pollen. The species exhibits striking black and yellow banding that mimics wasps. Larval tunneling in living black locust wood creates entry points for fungal pathogens, contributing to tree decline and wind damage susceptibility.
Megacyllene snowi
Megacyllene snowi is a species of longhorn beetle in the tribe Clytini, described by Casey in 1912. It belongs to a genus of North American beetles characterized by bold yellow and black banding patterns that resemble wasps. Records indicate it occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico, with specific observations from the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains in Arizona.
Meganoplium
Meganoplium is a monotypic genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) containing the single species Meganoplium imbelle. The genus was established by Linsley in 1940, with the species originally described by LeConte in 1881 as Elaphidion imbelle. It is restricted to California and northwestern Mexico.
Megasemum asperum
Megasemum asperum is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) species described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1854. It belongs to the tribe Asemini within the subfamily Spondylidinae. The species is native to western North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, British Columbia) and the United States. Like other members of its tribe, it likely develops in coniferous wood, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Megischus
crown wasp
Megischus is a large genus of crown wasps (family Stephanidae) containing over 90 described species with a cosmopolitan distribution centered in subtropical and tropical regions. The genus is characterized by medium to large body size, with adults ranging from approximately 10–40 mm in length (excluding the ovipositor). Females possess an exceptionally long ovipositor that typically exceeds body length, used to parasitize wood-boring beetle and hymenopteran larvae. The genus serves as an important biological control agent for pest populations of hardwood-damaging insects.
Megorama viduum
Megorama viduum is a small beetle species in the family Anobiidae, first described by Fall in 1905. It belongs to a genus of wood-boring beetles commonly known as deathwatch beetles or furniture beetles. The species is documented from North America, though specific details about its biology remain limited in published literature.
Melanophila
fire beetles
Melanophila is a genus of buprestid beetles known as fire beetles, distinguished by extraordinary sensitivity to infrared radiation. They possess specialized heat-sensing organs located near their legs that detect infrared radiation from forest fires. This sensory adaptation drives their behavior of seeking out fires to mate and oviposit in freshly burned wood. The genus contains approximately 16 described species distributed across North America and Eurasia.
Melanophila acuminata
black fire beetle, fire bug
Melanophila acuminata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, renowned for its exceptional ability to detect and locate forest fires from considerable distances. Adults possess specialized infrared radiation sensors on the thorax that detect heat, enabling them to swarm to freshly burned conifer trees for reproduction. The species has a broad Holarctic distribution and exhibits strong flight capabilities, with adults documented flying more than 50 miles to reach fire sites. Larvae develop in the phloem of fire-damaged conifers, taking several years to mature before emerging through D-shaped exit holes.
Melanophila occidentalis
Melanophila occidentalis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Obenberger in 1928. The genus Melanophila is notable for its pyrophilic behavior, with some species attracted to smoke and heat from forest fires. This species occurs in North America, including British Columbia, Canada. Like other members of the genus, it likely develops in fire-scarred or recently burned coniferous wood.
Melittomma
Melittomma is a genus of ship-timber beetles (family Lymexylidae) comprising approximately 20 described species distributed pantropically. The genus is notable for larvae that bore into hardwoods and palm stems, with some species forming symbiotic associations with ambrosia fungi. Melittomma insulare is a serious pest of coconut palms in the Seychelles and Madagascar, causing structural damage that can lead to tree collapse. Adult females deposit fungal spores in a sticky matrix with their eggs, and larvae carry spores into wood on their bodies.
Metapelma spectabile
Metapelma spectabile is a relatively large chalcidoid wasp, measuring approximately six millimeters in body length—exceptional for this group of typically minute parasitoids. The species belongs to the family Eupelmidae and is parasitic on wood-boring insects, likely targeting beetle families such as Buprestidae and Cerambycidae. It can be encountered in the field on tree trunks with exposed dead wood, unlike most eupelmids which require rearing from hosts.
Minthea
tropical powderpost beetles
Minthea is a genus of tropical powderpost beetles in the family Bostrichidae, established by Pascoe in 1863. The genus comprises approximately eight described species distributed in tropical regions. Members of this genus are wood-boring beetles that infest dry wood, contributing to their classification as powderpost beetles alongside related genera in the subfamily Lyctinae.
Monochamus clamator
spotted pine sawyer
Monochamus clamator, the spotted pine sawyer, is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae described by LeConte in 1852. The species exhibits several recognized subspecies across western North America and has been documented in pine woodland habitats. Research indicates host plants serve as a selective pressure driving genetic divergence in this species. Adults have been observed at blacklights and on stressed or dead pine trees.
Monochamus notatus
northeastern pine sawyer, notable sawyer
Monochamus notatus is a large longhorned beetle (Cerambycidae) native to North America, occurring in Canada and the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Adults are active from late spring through summer and are attracted to dead and dying conifers, particularly pines. The species is notable for its pronounced sexual dimorphism: males possess antennae up to twice their body length and elongated forelegs with expanded tarsi, while females have shorter antennae and unmodified legs. Like other Monochamus species, it responds to the aggregation pheromone monochamol and male-produced 2-(undecyloxy)-ethanol for mate location.
Monochamus obtusus
Monochamus obtusus is a longhorned beetle (family Cerambycidae) described by Thomas Lincoln Casey Jr. in 1891. It belongs to a genus of sawyer beetles that develop as wood-borers in coniferous trees. The species is known from western North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada and the western United States. Two subspecies have been recognized: M. o. obtusus (the nominate form) and M. o. fulvomaculatus described by Linsley & Chemsak in 1983. Like other Monochamus species, it likely plays a role in forest nutrient cycling through its association with dead and dying conifer wood.
Monochamus scutellatus
white-spotted sawyer, spruce sawyer, spruce bug, hair-eater
Monochamus scutellatus is a large cerambycid beetle native to North America, commonly known as the white-spotted sawyer. Adults are notable for extreme sexual dimorphism in antennae length, with male antennae reaching up to twice body length. The species colonizes stressed, dying, or recently dead conifers, showing strong preference for burned forest habitats. Larvae develop as wood-borers, creating galleries in phloem, cambium, and sapwood. Adults emerge mid-June to mid-August and feed on conifer bark and foliage before mating.
Mordella
tumbling flower beetles
Mordella is the type genus of the tumbling flower beetle family Mordellidae. Species in this genus occur on every continent except Antarctica, with broad distribution in the Holarctic region. The larvae are primarily borers in dead wood. Adults are commonly found on flowers and exhibit the characteristic tumbling escape behavior that gives the family its common name.
Nacerdes melanura
Wharf Borer
Nacerdes melanura, commonly known as the wharf borer, is a false blister beetle in the family Oedemeridae. It is a cosmopolitan wood-boring pest with a nearly worldwide distribution, particularly prevalent in coastal regions. The species infests timber in marine and waterfront structures, causing structural damage to wharves, piers, and other wooden maritime installations.
Neandra
pole borer
Neandra is a genus of longhorned beetles in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Parandrinae. The genus contains at least two described species: Neandra brunnea and Neandra marginicollis. These beetles are atypical for cerambycids, possessing short, bead-like antennae rather than the elongated antennae characteristic of most longhorned beetles. They are known to bore in decaying wood and are attracted to lights at night.
Neandra brunnea
pole borer, longhorned beetle
Neandra brunnea, commonly known as the pole borer, is a species of longhorn beetle in the subfamily Parandrinae. It is unusual among cerambycids for its relatively short, bead-like antennae rather than the elongated antennae typical of the family. Adults range from 8–20 mm in length and are yellowish-brown to reddish-brown in coloration. The species is distributed across eastern North America, with adults active from March through November. Larvae bore into decaying wood, including wooden poles and posts in contact with moist soil.
Necydalis cavipennis
Necydalis cavipennis is a long-horned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, characterized by its wasp-mimicking appearance. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records extending into British Columbia. It belongs to the subfamily Necydalinae, a group noted for their striking mimicry of Hymenoptera. The genus Necydalis contains several species with similar mimetic adaptations.
Neoclytus
Neoclytus is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) comprising approximately 93 species native to the New World. Adults are small to medium-sized beetles (4-20 mm) with striking black-and-yellow or black-and-white banded patterns that provide wasp-mimicry protection. The genus is notable for male-produced aggregation pheromones that attract both sexes. Larvae are wood-borers primarily of dead, dying, or stressed hardwood trees, with several species frequently encountered emerging from stored firewood.
Neoclytus acuminatus
Red-headed Ash Borer, Red-necked Ash Borer
Neoclytus acuminatus, commonly known as the red-headed ash borer, is a North American longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. Adults measure 12–16 mm in length and exhibit striking wasp-mimic coloration with reddish-brown bodies marked by four contrasting yellow bands. The species develops in dead or dying hardwood trees, particularly ash, hickory, and oak, where larvae feed on sapwood. Multiple generations may occur annually in warmer regions. Adults emerge in early spring and are frequently attracted to ethanol-based baits. The species has expanded beyond its native range through human-mediated transport of wood materials and is now established in parts of Europe.
Neoclytus caprea
Banded Ash Borer
Neoclytus caprea, commonly called the banded ash borer, is a North American longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. Adults display striking yellow and black (females) or white and black (males) banded coloration that mimics wasps. The species develops in the sapwood of ash, hickory, elm, and oak trees, completing one generation per year. Unlike the invasive emerald ash borer, this native species primarily colonizes stressed, dying, or recently dead wood rather than healthy trees.
Neoclytus conjunctus
Western Ash Borer
Neoclytus conjunctus is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by LeConte in 1857. It is commonly known as the Western Ash Borer. The species belongs to the Clytini tribe, a group known for wasp-mimicking appearance and rapid movement. Like other Neoclytus species, it is associated with woody hosts and is distributed in western North America.
Neoclytus mucronatus mucronatus
Neoclytus mucronatus mucronatus is a subspecies of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. Males produce an aggregation pheromone, (R)-3-hydroxyhexan-2-one, that attracts both sexes. The species has been documented in fermenting bait traps in Missouri, with adults active in mid-summer. Larvae develop in woody tissues of dead or dying trees, particularly hackberry.
Neoclytus scutellaris
Split-necked Neoclytus
Neoclytus scutellaris is a longhorned beetle (family Cerambycidae) found in the eastern United States. First described by Guillaume-Antoine Olivier in 1790, this species is strongly associated with dead or dying oak trees, where larvae develop in decaying wood. Adults are attracted to fermenting baits and can be distinguished from similar species by the transverse yellow band on the pronotum. The species is sometimes confused with N. mucronatus, which occurs on hickory and hackberry rather than oak.
Neoclytus torquatus
Neoclytus torquatus is a species of longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) in the tribe Clytini. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1873. Like other members of the genus Neoclytus, it is likely a wasp mimic with rapid, darting movements that enhance its resemblance to stinging insects. The species is distributed in North America, with records from the United States and Mexico.
Neoclytus vanduzeei
Neoclytus vanduzeei is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Van Dyke in 1927. It belongs to the tribe Clytini, a group well-known for wasp-mimicry and rapid, erratic movement patterns. The genus Neoclytus contains approximately 25 species in North America, many of which are associated with dead or dying hardwood trees. Specific ecological details for N. vanduzeei remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as N. caprea and N. acuminatus.
Neoptychodes trilineatus
Fig Tree Borer
A flat-faced longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lamiinae, notable for its variable coloration and distinctive three longitudinal bands. Males are larger than females, reaching up to 35 mm. The common name "Fig Tree Borer" reflects its association with Ficus species.
Oncideres
Twig Girdling Beetles, Twig Girdlers
Oncideres is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) containing over 120 species distributed throughout the Nearctic and Neotropics. These beetles are commonly known as twig girdlers due to the distinctive behavior of females chewing around branches to cause them to break and fall. The larvae develop within the girdled, decomposing wood. Several species are economically significant pests of fruit trees, pecans, and forest trees, while others play roles in ecosystem engineering by altering host plant population structure.
Orthosoma brunneum
Brown Prionid
Orthosoma brunneum is a large, brown longhorned beetle in the subfamily Prioninae, commonly known as the brown prionid. It is the sole species in its genus and is widely distributed across eastern North America. Adults are nocturnal and frequently attracted to ultraviolet lights. Larvae develop in decaying logs and have been shown to tolerate and behaviorally respond to high carbon dioxide concentrations typical of their wood-boring habitat.
Pachyta lamed
Pachyta lamed is a Holarctic long-horned beetle (Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Lepturinae. The species occurs across northern Eurasia and North America, with two recognized subspecies: P. lamed lamed (Eurasian) and P. lamed liturata (North American). Adults are associated with coniferous trees, particularly spruce. Larvae develop in dead or decaying conifer wood, completing development over multiple years.
Paranthrene asilipennis
Oak Stump Borer Moth
Paranthrene asilipennis, known as the Oak Stump Borer Moth, is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae. Like other sesiids, it exhibits wasp mimicry through transparent wings and a wasp-like body form. The species has been documented across Nearctic and Neotropical regions. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are associated with woody plants.
Paranthrene dollii
Doll's clearwing moth, cottonwood clearwing borer, poplar borer moth, Doll's clearwing, cottonwood clearwing, poplar borer
Paranthrene dollii is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, native to North America. Adults are active from March through October and may produce multiple flights per season. The species is notable for its wasp-mimicking appearance and its larval association with poplar and willow trees, earning it the common name 'cottonwood clearwing borer.'
Paranthrene pellucida
Pine Oak Clearwing
Paranthrene pellucida is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, first described in 1979. The common name "Pine Oak Clearwing" suggests association with pine and oak habitats. Like other sesiid moths, adults are wasp mimics with transparent wings and typically have larvae that bore into woody plants. The species is known from the Nearctic region with records from Vermont and the United States.
Paranthrene simulans
Hornet Clearwing Moth, Red Oak Clearwing Borer, Oak Clearwing Borer
Paranthrene simulans is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, known for its striking resemblance to hornets or wasps. Adults are active during daylight hours and are frequently mistaken for hymenopterans due to their transparent wings, wasp-like coloration, and flight behavior. The species is distributed across eastern North America, where larvae develop as borers in oak and other hardwood trees.
Paranthrene tabaniformis
dusky clearwing, dusky clearwing moth, poplar clearwing moth
Paranthrene tabaniformis, the dusky clearwing moth, is a sesiid moth native to the Palearctic and Nearctic realms. The species exhibits Batesian mimicry of wasps, with transparent wings and wasp-like coloration. Adults are active from May to August, with flight activity varying by location. The larvae are wood-borers that develop through 6-7 instars, feeding internally on poplar, willow, and sea-buckthorn before pupating in chambers within larval galleries.
Paranurini
Paranurini is a tribe of small to minute beetles within the family Anobiidae, commonly known as deathwatch and furniture beetles. Members of this tribe are characterized by their compact body form and association with wood-boring habits. The tribe is distinguished from related groups by specific antennal and pronotal structures. Paranurini represents a relatively poorly studied lineage within the Anobiidae, with limited species-level documentation in many regions.
Paratyndaris knulli
Paratyndaris knulli is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, placed in the subgenus Waltersia. It was originally described by Barr in 1972 and occurs in Central America and North America. The genus Paratyndaris is a largely southwestern and Mexican group of jewel beetles, with P. knulli being one of four species in its subgenus. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with dead woody vegetation.
Phaenops lecontei
Phaenops lecontei is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The genus Phaenops comprises species associated with coniferous trees, particularly pines. P. lecontei occurs in North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada and Alaska, United States. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to develop in wood of Pinus species, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented.
Phlepsanus vanduzeei
Phlepsanus vanduzeei is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was originally described as Acmaeodera vanduzeei by Van Dyke and later transferred to the genus Phlepsanus. The species is associated with Cercocarpus (mountain mahogany) host plants in western North America. Like other members of the genus, it is a wood-boring beetle whose larvae develop within dead branches of its host plant.
Phoracantha semipunctata
Australian Eucalyptus longhorn, Common Eucalyptus Longhorn, eucalyptus longhorned borer, firewood beetle
Phoracantha semipunctata is a wood-boring beetle in the family Cerambycidae, native to Australia and invasive in many regions where Eucalyptus has been introduced. Adults are crepuscular, active during warmer evening hours when temperatures exceed 15°C. Females lay eggs under loose bark or in bark crevices of stressed or freshly cut Eucalyptus trees; larvae bore into phloem and sapwood, potentially girdling and killing trees. The species is a significant pest in plantations outside Australia, though outbreaks in its native range are associated with drought-stressed trees.
Phymatodes maculicollis
Phymatodes maculicollis is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by LeConte in 1878. The species belongs to the genus Phymatodes, which is most diverse in western North America and contains approximately 26 recognized species on the continent. Like other members of its genus, P. maculicollis is associated with woody host plants, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented. The species has been recorded across a broad geographic range in North America, from western Canada through the western United States.
Phymatodes testaceus
tanbark borer, violet tanbark beetle
Phymatodes testaceus is a transpalearctic polymorphic longhorn beetle in the subfamily Cerambycinae. Adults range from 6–16 mm in length. The species exhibits significant color variation, with some individuals showing violet or metallic reflections that contribute to the common name 'violet tanbark beetle.'
Placosternus difficilis
Mesquite Borer
Placosternus difficilis is a wood-boring longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. Adults exhibit Batesian mimicry, resembling black and yellow wasps. The species is strongly associated with mesquite trees (Prosopis spp.), though it has been recorded from multiple host plants and is considered polyphagous. Adults feed on nectar and pollen. The species ranges from the southwestern United States through Mexico and into Central America and the Caribbean.