Lyctine (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) pests of timber in Australia: A literature review and susceptibility testing protocol

Abstract

Several species of lyctine (powderpost) beetle are able to attack a range of hardwood timbers in Australia. Powderpost beetles infest only the starch-containing sapwood of certain hardwoods and do not infest softwoods. Attack by powderpost beetles on susceptible timber in Australia is almost inevitable and may continue until the food resource is completely utilised. Prevention of powderpost beetle attack is preferable to curative measures.

The Australian hardwood resource is increasingly being obtained from younger regrowth and planted forests rather than mature forests. The hardwood resource is also beginning to include species not previously used. There is no information on lyctine susceptibility of these species of eucalypts, hybrid eucalypts and some acacias. Some of these timbers are not widely utilised, yet may have unique properties for high-value niche applications on the world market. Consumer legislation places constraints on the sale and use of susceptible timber in the States of New South Wales and Queensland. Consequently, most of these timbers are regarded as provisionally susceptible in both States due to the lack of testing and historical record.

We review the biology, behaviour and management of the most common lyctine species Lyctus brunneus (Stephens) and discuss selected literature. A sampling and testing protocol to establish -lyctine susceptibility of timber species is described for the first time in Australia, and its usefulness and limitations are discussed.