Bostrichidae

The Bostrichidae family, commonly known as branch and twig borers, comprises about 700 species of beetles. These insects, belonging to the order Coleoptera, typically inhabit dry wood or live under tree bark. They vary in size, generally ranging from 3 to 20 mm, though some species, like the palm borer, can reach up to 50 mm.1

While most branch and twig borers are associated with dead wood, some, such as the apple twig borer, can infest living fruit-tree branches and grape vines. A notable member of this family is the lead-cable borer, which bores into the lead sheathing of older telephone cables, potentially causing short circuits. The larvae of these beetles bore through wood, and some species can be destructive in orchards. Powderpost beetles, a subfamily within Bostrichidae (Lyctinae), are known for their larvae boring through seasoned wood, reducing it to powder.12