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Field guide to exotic pests and diseases: Powder post beetle
Heterobostrychus aequalis (Waterhouse)
Identification: larvae to 15mm long, C-shaped, white with brown heads. Adults 6-13mm long, cylindrical, dark brown-to-black; head not visible from above; segment behind head is distinctly excavated in front.
Hosts: hardwood, freshly felled trees and green or seasoned timber.
Distribution: Europe, India, Asia, Middle East, South Africa.
Detection:Larvae: feed along grain, making circular tunnels up to 38cm long and 6mm in diameter, tightly packed with a fine floury frass often visible when adults emerge. Most likely to enter Australia on imported timber packaging, dunnage, furniture, souvenirs etc.
Adults: bore circular holes into sapwood and continue feeding until sapwood is gone; can reduce interior of timber to powder.
Potential impact: damage to exposed wood in houses, furniture and panelling.