How do powderpost beetles primarily affect wood?

Powderpost beetles primarily affect wood by boring into it. Adult beetles lay their eggs in small holes in the wood, and when the larvae hatch, they begin to tunnel through the wood as they feed. This feeding action creates intricate tunnels, which can significantly weaken the structural integrity of the wood over time. The damage caused by the boring process is often characterized by fine, powdery frass (wood dust) that is expelled from the exit holes created by the larvae.

This process does not consume the wood entirely; rather, it creates galleries within the wood, leading to structural damage while leaving much of the wood intact. Additionally, the beetles do not typically stain or discolor the wood in a manner that is uniform, nor do they change the color of the wood as a direct result of their presence. Their primary impact is thus related to the physical damage they cause through boring.