Oak Timberworm Beetle

Natural Habitat

Deciduous forests, specifically associated with dying or recently felled oak, beech, and poplar trees.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on tree sap and fungi; larvae bore into wood to feed on sapwood and heartwood.

Behavior Patterns

Sexual dimorphism is extreme; males have elongated snout-like mouthparts used for fighting other males, while females have thin, needle-like snouts for drilling holes to lay eggs. They are typically active from late spring through summer.

Risks & Benefits

They are considered a minor forestry pest because they can degrade the quality of hardwood timber by creating 'wormholes,' but they pose no risk to humans or pets.

Identified on: 5/28/2026