Lyctus

Lyctus is a genus of wood-boring beetles in the family Lyctidae, commonly known as true powderpost beetles. The genus contains several described species found worldwide, especially where hardwoods are present or used in buildings, furniture, and other wooden objects. The most familiar species is Lyctus brunneus, with other commonly encountered members including Lyctus linearis and Lyctus africanus.

Ecology and biology: Adults are small and elongate, typically a few millimeters long. After mating, females lay eggs in tiny cracks or crevices of dry hardwood. Larvae hatch and bore extensive, meandering galleries through the grain, feeding on the wood. The larval stage can last from months to years depending on temperature and wood moisture; pupation occurs within the wood, and adults emerge through small exit holes. Infestations are most common in seasoned hardwoods such as oak, beech, and tropical hardwoods, and are less likely in freshly kiln-dried material.

Impact and management: Lyctus infestations can damage furniture, flooring, and structural timbers, leaving behind fine powdery frass at the exit holes. Management relies on identifying infested material and applying appropriate treatments, which may include heat treatment or fumigation of affected items, sealing and moisture control, and the use of kiln-dried hardwoods or insecticidal borate treatments for susceptible wood. Preventive practices such as proper wood storage and regular inspection of wooden structures help reduce risk.

Taxonomic note: As part of the order Coleoptera, Lyctus is one of the primary genera of powderpost beetles, distinguished from other wood-boring beetles by its preference for hardwoods and the characteristic galleries it creates.