Wood borer

Wood boring insects can cause considerable damage to buildings and timber. In most species it is the feeding activity of the larvae that does the damage.

In many cases eggs are laid in the wood by adult beetles. The larvae then feed on the wood and excavate holes in the wood. Sometimes frass can be seen at the hole indicating the activity of the larvae. The larvae pupate in the hole and then emerge as adults. In many species the adults do not feed.

A photograph of a Squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae) larvae. The plant stem has been cut open to show the larvae and the frass.
Photograph by Pollinator licensed under Creative Commons.

Related terms

• Frass
• Saproxylic
• Woodworm
• Xylophagous

Related groups of terms

• General biology

See other words beginning with W