Habitat:
General sapwood of tropical and European hardwoods, principally oak and elm,
with large pores and a high starch content. Not found in softwoods. Solid
timber damage normally originates in stockyard or stockroom infestation. Only
found in timber containing adequate starch and usually with pores (vessels)
large enough for female beetle to lay eggs in. Common in furniture and occasionally
in block or strip flooring.
Remedial
Treatment:
Organic solvent or paste where sapwood is accessible. Treatment to furniture
or flooring rarely justified on cost terms and often ineffective because finishes
or mastic adhesive prevent uptake. Damage in older timber or furniture will
probably be inactive and therefore not require treatment. Regular inspection
of stored stock and kiln sterilisation of infested materials necessary to
prevent further recurrences.
Insect
characteristics and location:
Adult: 4-7 mm long, reddish brown to black; flattened and enlongated
with roughly parallel sides compared with rounded shape of Common Furniture
Beetle. Found on or around damaged timber, particularly May-Sept, but throughout
year in heated buildings.
Larva: Up to 6 mm long, curved, pale cream; three pairs small legs darker spots (breathing pores) on either side near rear of body. Found all year round in infested wood.
Damage
characteristics:
Emergence holes: Circular, 1-2 mm diameter.
Tunnels: Circular, 1-2 mm diameter usually parallel to grain, may be missed in initial stages of attack. In later stages, sapwood virtually disintegrates, leaving a thin, intact surface skin of wood.
Bore dust: Cream-coloured, fine, and chalk-like when rubbed between fingers. May accumulate in small piles beneath emergence holes. Easily shaken out of tunnels.
