Wood-boring
Guides
Siricinae
horntails, wood wasps
Siricinae is a subfamily of wood-boring wasps within Siricidae, commonly known as horntails. Members possess a distinctive elongated, cylindrical body and a prominent spine-like ovipositor at the tip of the abdomen. Females bore into wood to lay eggs, and larvae develop within timber, feeding on fungal symbionts. The subfamily includes the genus *Sirix*, among others.
Solva pallipes
Solva pallipes is a species of soldier fly in the family Xylomyidae, distributed across most of North America. Adults are associated with wooded habitats and are attracted to light. Larvae develop under the bark of various deciduous trees, where they feed on decaying wood and associated microorganisms.
Sphaeroma
pillbug, roly poly, marine pillbug
Sphaeroma is a genus of aquatic isopod crustaceans in the family Sphaeromatidae. These small crustaceans are commonly known as marine pillbugs or roly polies, though they are distinct from terrestrial isopods. The genus contains multiple species distributed across marine and estuarine environments globally. Some species, such as S. terebrans, are specialized wood-borers in mangrove habitats, while others inhabit rocky intertidal zones or construct burrows in soft sediments. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, with new species described from the northeastern Pacific and elsewhere.
Stenocorus cinnamopterus
Cinnamon-winged Flower Longhorn
Stenocorus cinnamopterus is a longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, commonly known as the Cinnamon-winged Flower Longhorn. The species is characterized by brown body coloration with distinctive orange legs. It occurs in the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. Adults are associated with flowers and are attracted to fermenting baits.
Synanthedon acerrubri
Maple Clearwing Moth, Red Maple Borer
Synanthedon acerrubri is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, commonly known as the maple clearwing moth or red maple borer. The species is a wood-boring pest of maple trees in eastern North America. Adults are diurnal and wasp-mimicking in appearance, with transparent wings and banded abdomens. Larvae tunnel into the trunks and branches of host trees, causing structural damage.
Syntexis libocedrii
incense-cedar wood wasp, cedar wood wasp
Syntexis libocedrii is the sole extant representative of the family Anaxyelidae, a lineage with an extensive Mesozoic fossil record that makes this species a 'living fossil.' It exhibits a highly specialized reproductive strategy, ovipositing exclusively in wood of recently burned conifers including incense-cedar (Calocedrus), red cedar (Thuja), and juniper (Juniperus). The species is rarely encountered due to its cryptic habits and dependence on post-fire environments.
Tetrapriocera
horned powder-post beetles
Tetrapriocera is a genus of horned powder-post beetles in the family Bostrichidae, established by Horn in 1878. The genus comprises at least four described species. Members of this genus are wood-boring beetles, with T. longicornis documented as a host for the parasitoid wasp Acrophasmus sp. in Panama.
Tetrapriocera longicornis
horned powder-post beetle
Tetrapriocera longicornis is a species of horned powder-post beetle in the family Bostrichidae. It has a broad geographic distribution spanning the Caribbean, Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China), Central America, North America, and South America. The species was first described by Olivier in 1795.
Trachyderini
Trachyderini is a tribe of long-horned beetles (Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) comprising at least 140 genera and 650 described species. Members are predominantly diurnal, medium to large-sized, and frequently exhibit bright coloration. The tribe has a primarily New World distribution, with notable diversity in southwestern North America, Mexico, Central America, and South America, though some genera extend into the Palearctic region including Mongolia. Several genera display striking mimicry of wasps or other beetles.
Trachysida mutabilis
flower longhorn
Trachysida mutabilis is a species of flower longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick) and the United States. The species has been reared from dead branches of Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam) in Missouri, where it represents the only known state record.
Tragosoma harrisii
Hairy Pine Borer
Tragosoma harrisii is a large longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Prioninae. It is one of the few North American cerambycids with a Holarctic distribution, also occurring in Europe and Asia. The species is associated with coniferous forests and has been documented in boreal and montane regions across its range. Adults are active during summer months and have been collected using sweet red wine-baited traps.
Tremex
woodwasp, horntail
Tremex is a genus of woodwasps (family Siricidae) containing approximately 33 species with a primarily Holarctic distribution. These large, cylindrical wasps are characterized by females possessing a prominent, spear-like ovipositor used to bore into hardwood trees and lay eggs. Unlike their relatives in the subfamily Siricinae, Tremex species associate with the white-rot fungus Cerrena unicolor rather than Amylostereum. The larvae tunnel through wood and feed on both the fungus and decayed wood material. Though they appear intimidating due to their size and visible ovipositor, they are non-venomous and pose no threat to humans.
Trichocnemis
Trichocnemis is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Prioninae. The genus contains two species distributed in western North America: Trichocnemis pauper and Trichocnemis spiculatus (the ponderosus borer). Historically, species of Trichocnemis have often been treated as members of the genus Ergates, but modern taxonomic treatments separate them based on morphological differences including head size, mandible shape, and antennae length. The larvae of T. spiculatus are notable wood-borers in ponderosa pine and inspired improvements to chainsaw design.
Trogoxylon parallelipipedum
Velvety Powderpost Beetle, Velvety Powder-post Beetle
Trogoxylon parallelipipedum is a powderpost beetle in the family Bostrichidae. It is distributed across Australia, Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species is known by the common name velvety powderpost beetle, reflecting its characteristic appearance. Like other members of the subfamily Lyctinae, it is associated with wood-boring habits.
Trypodendron domesticum
European hardwood ambrosia beetle
Trypodendron domesticum is a European ambrosia beetle in the family Curculionidae. It is a wood-boring pest of hardwoods that has been introduced to North America. The species is morphologically similar to the closely related T. lineatum, requiring molecular methods for reliable identification. It is one of four Trypodendron species documented in Europe.
Urocerus
horntail, woodwasp
Urocerus is a genus of horntails (woodwasps) in the family Siricidae containing approximately seven to eight described species. These large, non-venomous wasps are characterized by their elongated, cylindrical bodies and prominent cornus (horn-like spine) at the tip of the abdomen. Females possess a long, drill-like ovipositor used to insert eggs into dead, dying, or weakened trees. Species in this genus are obligate mutualists with wood-decaying fungi, which they vector and cultivate for larval nutrition. Several species have broad distributions across the Northern Hemisphere, with some introduced outside their native ranges.
Urocerus californicus
California Horntail
Urocerus californicus, commonly known as the California Horntail, is a large wood-boring wasp in the family Siricidae. Adults are striking insects with elongated, cigar-shaped bodies and prominent ovipositors in females. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are non-venomous and do not sting. The species is native to western North America, with records from Oregon, California, and British Columbia. Like other horntails, females bore into dead or dying hardwood trees to deposit eggs, introducing symbiotic fungi that help break down wood for larval consumption.
Urocerus cressoni
Black-and-red Horntail
Urocerus cressoni is a large wood-boring wasp in the family Siricidae, commonly known as the Black-and-red Horntail. Females range from 37–50 mm in length, males 18–37 mm. The species is native to North America and has been recorded across Canada from Nova Scotia to Manitoba. Like other horntails, females possess a prominent ovipositor for drilling into wood to deposit eggs, along with a shorter dorsal spine (cornus) that gives the family its common name. The species is non-venomous and poses no threat to humans.
Urocerus flavicornis
Yellow-horned Horntail, Yellow-horned Horntail Wasp
Urocerus flavicornis is a large wood-boring wasp in the family Siricidae, commonly known as the yellow-horned horntail. Native to North America, this species develops inside dead or dying hardwood trees. Adults are active primarily in late summer and fall. The species is non-venomous and poses no threat to humans despite its intimidating appearance.
Urocerus taxodii
Taxodium horntail
Urocerus taxodii is a species of woodwasp in the family Siricidae, described by Ashmead in 1904. As a member of the genus Urocerus, it shares the characteristic elongated, cylindrical body form and prominent cornus (horn-like projection at the abdomen tip) typical of horntails. The species is associated with Taxodium (cypress/bald cypress) as a larval host, as indicated by its specific epithet. Like other siricids, females possess a long ovipositor for drilling into wood to deposit eggs, and they vector wood-decaying fungi that serve as food for their larvae.
Vrilletta laurentina
Vrilletta laurentina is a small beetle species described by Fall in 1905. It belongs to the family Ptinidae (deathwatch and spider beetles), a group known for wood-boring habits in larvae. The species has been recorded from eastern Canadian provinces.
Xestobiini
Xestobiini is a tribe of small beetles within the family Ptinidae (spider beetles and deathwatch beetles), subfamily Ernobiinae. Members of this tribe are wood-boring beetles that develop in dead or decaying wood. The tribe was established by Böving in 1927 and includes genera such as Xestobium. These beetles are characterized by their cylindrical body form and association with hardwood substrates.
Xestobium
death-watch beetles
Xestobium is a genus of wood-boring beetles in the family Ptinidae, commonly known as death-watch beetles. The genus contains approximately 13 described species, with Xestobium rufovillosum being the most studied due to its economic significance as a pest of structural timbers in historic buildings. These beetles are renowned for the distinctive tapping sound produced by adults, which serves as a mating signal and has inspired their common name. The genus is primarily associated with decayed hardwoods, particularly oak, and has a prolonged life cycle spanning multiple years.
Xiphydria
wood wasps, xiphydriid wood wasps
Xiphydria is a genus of wood wasps in the family Xiphydriidae, distributed across the Holarctic region including Europe, Asia, and North America. Adults are characterized by a distinctive elongated 'neck' formed by the long propleuron, antennae with approximately 20 segments, and mandibles with four teeth. Females oviposit into diseased or dead wood of broadleaf trees and vector symbiotic fungi that decompose wood for larval consumption. The genus is univoltine with one generation per year. While generally of minor economic importance, some species can damage oak and other hardwoods.
Xyleborinus artestriatus
Xyleborinus artestriatus is a species of ambrosia beetle in the subfamily Scolytinae. Like other members of its genus, it is a fungus-farming beetle that excavates galleries in wood and cultivates symbiotic fungi for larval nutrition. The species has been recorded in North America, Australia, Oceania, and Southern Asia. Its specific ecological role and host associations remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as Xyleborinus saxesenii.
Xyleborus pfeili
Xyleborus pfeili is an ambrosia beetle in the subfamily Scolytinae, native to regions including Europe and Asia. Like other ambrosia beetles, it cultivates symbiotic fungi within wood tunnels as its primary food source. Laboratory studies have documented its reproduction on semi-artificial diets, revealing arrhenotokous parthenogenesis where unmated females produce only male offspring. The species has been successfully reared using sawdust-based diets with fungal symbionts, providing a model for studying ambrosia beetle biology.
Xyleborus pubescens
Xyleborus pubescens is a species of bark beetle in the weevil family Curculionidae. First described by Zimmermann in 1868, this small wood-boring beetle belongs to a genus known for fungus-farming behavior, where beetles cultivate symbiotic fungi in tunnels they excavate within wood. The species occurs in North America, with records extending from the Caribbean through Middle America to Canada, including Ontario.
Xyletinus pubescens
Xyletinus pubescens is a species of beetle in the family Ptinidae (formerly treated as Anobiidae). It was described by LeConte in 1878 and is known to occur in North America. The genus Xyletinus contains wood-boring beetles, though specific details about this species' biology remain poorly documented.
Xylobiops
horned powder-post beetles, red-shouldered bostrichid (X. basilaris)
Xylobiops is a genus of beetles in the family Bostrichidae, commonly known as horned powder-post beetles. The genus was established by Casey in 1898 and contains approximately six described species distributed primarily in North America. These beetles are wood-boring insects associated with dead or dying hardwoods. The most frequently encountered species is Xylobiops basilaris, commonly called the red-shouldered bostrichid.
Xylomeira
horned powder-post beetles
Xylomeira is a genus of horned powder-post beetles in the family Bostrichidae, established by Lesne in 1901. The genus contains a single described species, Xylomeira tridens. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Xyloperthini within the subfamily Bostrichinae. Like other bostrichids, these beetles are wood-boring insects.
Xyloterini
Xyloterini is a tribe of ambrosia beetles within the subfamily Scolytinae (Curculionidae). Members are characterized by fungal cultivation behavior and association with woody host plants. The tribe includes genera such as Xyloterinus and Indocryphalus. Xyloterinus politus, the type species of Xyloterinus, attacks black oak trees and maintains mutualistic relationships with ambrosia yeasts including Candida xyloterini, a yeast species named after this beetle tribe.
Xyloterinus politus
Polished Bark Beetle
Xyloterinus politus is a North American ambrosia beetle in the family Curculionidae, historically placed in Scolytidae. It is the sole species in the monotypic genus Xyloterinus. The species exhibits obligate mutualism with cultivated fungi, excavating galleries in hardwood and softwood trees where it grows and feeds on ambrosial fungi rather than wood tissue. Females initiate gallery construction and maintain fungal gardens; males do not excavate galleries and are excluded from active attacks. The beetle overwinters as an adult in old galleries and cradles.
Zabrachia
Zabrachia is a genus of soldier flies (Stratiomyidae) established by Coquillett in 1901. Adults are distinguished from other Pachygastrinae by the fused R4 and R5 wing veins. The genus includes approximately 20 described species distributed across North America, Europe, and Madagascar. Larvae develop under the bark of coniferous trees, while females have been observed ovipositing into pine wood.
Zopherus
ironclad beetles, living jewel beetles
Zopherus is a genus of 19 species of highly armored beetles distributed from the southern United States through Venezuela. These beetles are renowned for their extraordinarily thick, fused elytra that form an impenetrable shell—so dense that entomologists must drill holes to mount specimens. The genus was erected by George Robert Gray in 1832 and has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with three former genera now synonymized under it. Species exhibit striking geographic color variation: temperate North American forms are uniformly black, while tropical species display bold black-and-white patterns. The beetles are strictly flightless and nocturnal, adapted for wood-boring in coniferous and desert woodland habitats.
Zopherus championi
Zopherus championi is a species of ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae. It was described by Triplehorn in 1972 and occurs in Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Zopherus, it is adapted to wood-boring and possesses the heavily sclerotized exoskeleton characteristic of ironclad beetles.
Zopherus concolor
concolor ironclad beetle
Zopherus concolor is a species of ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae, native to North America. The species belongs to a genus of beetles adapted to wood-boring habits, with some Zopherus species historically used as living brooches. Field observations indicate nocturnal activity on dead conifer trunks, particularly Pinus edulis.