Powderpost beetle

Powderpost Beetle (Lyctus brunneus)

Description

A dark red to black beetle, Lyctus brunneus, found throughout Europe. Both the powderpost beetle adults and larvae feed on hardwood, such as packing crates, flooring, furniture, tool handles, gunstocks, picture frames, and ornamental pieces. The adult insects are 7 to 9 mm long and have a life span of up to 1 year. The c-shaped white larvae have a brown head. They can grow 3 to 5 mm in length. The larval period lasts from 60 to 270 days. Powderpost beetles produce tunnels with an oval cross section.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Lyctus brunneus; Powder Post beetle; woodboring beetle;

Authority

• Hermann Kuhn, Hermann Kuhn, Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities, Butterworths, London, 1986

• Lynda A. Zycherman, J.Richard Schrock, Lynda A. Zycherman, J.Richard Schrock, A Guide to Museum Pest Control, FAIC and Association of Systematics Collections, Washington DC, 1988

• G.Caneva, M.P.Nugari, O.Salvadori, G.Caneva, M.P.Nugari, O.Salvadori, Biology in the Conservation of Works of Art, ICCROM, Rome, 1991