(Lyctus brunneus)
Biology:
The brown sapwood beetle is a species introduced to us through imported tropical wood. The up to 7 mm long, slender beetle has a brown-red color. The wings are parallel-sided and the hind legs are very far from the middle legs. The beetles are crepuscular and good fliers.
The larvae, which are up to 6 mm long, need wood that is rich in starch and has a high protein content (e.g. limba, abachi, oak, walnut) to develop. Maple, copper beech and softwood (low in starch and protein) as well as heartwood in general (low starch content) are less or not at all infested. The flight holes of the beetles have a diameter of 0.8 to 1.5 mm. Closely related species are the parquet beetle(Lyctus linearis) and the American sapwood beetle(Lyctus planicollis).
Damage:
The brown sapwood beetle belongs to the drywood insects, which are characterized by the fact that their larvae can already develop at a wood moisture content of 7 to 16 %
The brown sapwood beetle is mainly found in imported wood (e.g. in souvenirs or furniture). Damage is caused by the larvae’s feeding galleries inside the wood and by the beetles’ flight holes on the surface. The damage is similar to that of woodworms. However, the wood is destroyed much more quickly and thoroughly.
