Bugs that eat wood are a diverse group of insects and other arthropods that feed on cellulose, the primary structural component of plants. This behavior is seen in termites, beetles, moths, and even some wasps. These wood-feeding species play crucial ecological roles, helping to decompose dead trees and recycle nutrients back into the soil. While many of them live in forests and natural habitats, some have adapted to human environments, where they can cause significant damage to buildings, furniture, and other wooden structures.
Termites are among the most well-known wood-eaters, forming complex colonies that can consume large amounts of timber. Subterranean termites tunnel through the soil to reach wood, while drywood termites infest wood directly. Their feeding can go unnoticed for years, weakening structures over time. Carpenter ants, though they do not consume wood for nutrition, also excavate it to create nests, similarly compromising timber in homes or buildings.
Many beetles target wood at different stages of its life. Powderpost beetles, longhorn beetles, and furniture beetles lay eggs in wood, with larvae tunneling through the material as they develop. This boring activity reduces the strength of the wood and produces fine dust or frass, often signaling an active infestation. Bark beetles and ambrosia beetles also feed on living or stressed trees, sometimes introducing fungi that accelerate wood decay.
Other wood-eating species include wood-boring moth larvae and horntail wasps. These insects feed on timber or tree sapwood, often over extended periods. Some marine organisms, like shipworms, also consume submerged wood, playing an important role in breaking down driftwood and old wooden structures in aquatic environments. Despite their differences, all these species rely on wood as a primary source of food or habitat.
Bugs that Eat Wood
Termites
Termites are perhaps the most famous wood-eating insects. They consume cellulose, the main component of wood, and live in colonies with a highly organized social structure. Subterranean termites tunnel underground to reach wood, while drywood termites can infest wood directly. Their feeding can cause significant structural damage to buildings if left unchecked.
Carpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.)
Carpenter ants do not eat wood for nutrition but excavate it to create nests. They prefer damp or decayed wood, chewing tunnels and galleries to live in. Though they don’t digest the cellulose, their nesting activity can weaken wooden structures over time.
Powderpost Beetles (Lyctidae family)
Powderpost beetles are small insects that bore into wood, laying eggs in cracks and pores. The larvae feed on the starch in hardwoods, creating fine, powder-like frass as they tunnel. Infestations can damage furniture, flooring, and structural timber.
Old House Borers (Hylotrupes bajulus)
This beetle species targets softwoods in buildings, particularly in Europe. Larvae feed on the sapwood of timber, often going unnoticed for years due to their slow development. Infestations can lead to severe structural weakening of wooden elements.
Horntail Wasps (Siricidae family)
Horntail wasps are large insects whose larvae bore into the wood of living or dead trees. The larvae feed on both the wood and associated fungi, making them effective decomposers in forests. Though they rarely attack buildings, they can damage timber used in outdoor construction.
Shipworms (Teredinidae family)
Shipworms are actually marine bivalve mollusks, but they are often called “wood-boring worms.” They tunnel into submerged wood, such as piers and ship hulls, feeding on cellulose with the help of symbiotic bacteria. Their activity can cause extensive damage to wooden marine structures.
Bark Beetles (Scolytinae subfamily)
Bark beetle larvae feed beneath the bark of trees, consuming the phloem and sometimes the outer layers of wood. Infestations can kill trees and weaken timber, especially in forests or timber storage areas. Their tunneling also allows fungi to invade the wood, compounding the damage.
Wood-Boring Weevils (Cossoninae subfamily)
These small beetles target dead or decaying wood, where larvae tunnel and feed on the cellulose. Adult weevils often lay eggs in cracks or exposed wood surfaces. Though they prefer natural settings, they can occasionally infest wooden furniture or stored timber, causing significant damage over time.
Longhorn Beetles (Cerambycidae family)
Longhorn beetles are large, wood-boring beetles whose larvae tunnel deep into hardwood and softwood trees. They feed on the wood as they develop, sometimes for several years, weakening branches and timber. Their striking long antennae and varied coloration make them easy to identify.
Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)
Native to East Asia, this invasive species attacks a wide range of hardwood trees, including maples and elms. The larvae bore extensive galleries under the bark and into the heartwood, often killing trees. Infestations have led to major tree removal programs in North America and Europe.
Furniture Beetles (Anobium punctatum)
Also called common woodworms, furniture beetle larvae feed on seasoned timber and wooden furniture. They create small round exit holes and fine powdery frass, which indicates an active infestation. They are especially problematic in older buildings with untreated wood.
Deathwatch Beetles (Xestobium rufovillosum)
This beetle targets damp, decaying wood, particularly in historic buildings and old timber structures. The larvae burrow through the wood over several years, leaving behind powdery dust. The adults are named for the ticking sound they make in the wood, historically associated with quiet watches over the dead.
Pinewood Nematodes (Carpenterworm-associated)
Though technically microscopic worms, pinewood nematodes are carried by beetles and cause extensive damage to pine trees. They feed on the tree’s vascular system and indirectly contribute to wood decay, making the timber soft and vulnerable to further insect infestation.
European House Borer (Hylotrupes bajulus)
This beetle is a major pest of softwood structures in Europe. Its larvae feed primarily on the sapwood of coniferous timber, producing tunnels that reduce the wood’s strength. Infestations are slow but can cause long-term structural damage if untreated.
Ambrosia Beetles (Scolytinae subfamily)
These beetles bore into stressed or weakened trees and introduce symbiotic fungi that digest the wood. While the adult beetles primarily cultivate the fungi, the larvae feed on the fungus-infested wood. They play a major role in forest ecology but can damage lumber and nursery trees.
Deathwatch Moth Larvae (Tinea pellionella)
The larvae of the deathwatch moth feed on wooden structures, furniture, and other cellulose-rich materials. They often inhabit areas with high humidity, tunneling into soft wood and leaving behind fine frass. Their slow feeding can go unnoticed for years, gradually weakening timber.
West Indian Powderpost Beetle (Lyctus brunneus)
This small beetle primarily attacks hardwoods, including oak, ash, and mahogany. Its larvae tunnel through the sapwood, reducing it to a fine powder known as frass. Infestations can damage furniture, flooring, and structural wood, making early detection important.
American Banded Elm Bark Beetle (Scolytus multistriatus)
Native to North America, this beetle targets elm trees, boring into the bark and outer wood. The larvae feed on the inner bark and sapwood, often weakening the tree and allowing fungal infections to spread. It is notorious for its role in spreading Dutch elm disease.
Red Oak Borer (Enaphalodes rufulus)
The larvae of this longhorn beetle bore into red oak trees, feeding on the heartwood. Infested timber often shows signs of structural weakness, and the tunnels created by the larvae reduce the value of the wood for lumber and furniture purposes.
Lesser Grain Borer (Rhyzopertha dominica)
Though mainly a pest of stored grains, this beetle can infest wooden storage containers and crates. The larvae bore into the wood while feeding, producing fine dust. Their activity can damage both food supplies and wooden structures in storage facilities.
Giant Wood-Boring Beetle (Macrotoma spp.)
Found in tropical regions, the larvae of this large beetle feed on hardwood trees, creating deep tunnels that can last several years. They primarily infest dead or decaying wood but can also attack freshly cut timber. Their size and feeding habits make them a significant wood pest in tropical forests.
Sirex Woodwasp (Sirex noctilio)
This wood-boring wasp targets pine trees, injecting both eggs and a symbiotic fungus into the wood. The fungus helps the larvae digest cellulose, allowing them to feed on the wood efficiently. Infested trees often die, and the wood becomes structurally compromised.
Tropical Powderpost Beetle (Dinoderus minutus)
Common in tropical climates, this beetle infests bamboo and hardwoods. The larvae bore into the wood, leaving fine powder and weakening the structural integrity of furniture and building materials. They are considered serious pests in regions where bamboo is used extensively.
Black Pine Beetle (Ips spp.)
These beetles infest pine trees, boring into bark and wood to lay eggs. The larvae feed on the inner wood and sapwood, often creating extensive galleries. Infested trees may die or become weakened, and the wood becomes unsuitable for construction or furniture.