Physical Characteristics
Adults:
- Usually reddish-brown to black
- Size from 1/8 inch to 1 inch.
- Body is elongated and cylindrical.
- Head is directed downward, the thorax is usually hood-like and covers the head. There is one species, however, that does not have the head directed downward.
- Antennae are straight with a three to four segmented club at the end.
- Tarsi are five-segmented.
Larvae:
- Are grub-like and somewhat C-shaped.
- Are wrinkled in appearance
- Head is slightly darker than the cream-colored body.
- Have black mandibles.
Damage
- False powderpost beetles prefer hardwood, but they will attack softwood. Most species only infest fresh wood and will not infest or re-infest seasoned wood. (This means that some structures or furniture may have signs of damage that was done before the wood was used to build the structure.)
- Exit holes are 0.09 to 0.28 inch in diameter, sometimes smaller.
- Tunnels are round and tightly packed with frass, which is a fine to coarse powder that tends to stick together.
- Infestations are usually in wood that contains bark, firewood, grapevine wreaths, veneers, furniture parts, and ornamental products.