Page 128 - 8.5X11__AZ_VERSION_2_9-12-07

OLD HOUSE BORER OLD HOUSE BORER OLD HOUSE BORER OLD HOUSE BORER

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna- 1/3 of body length 6.Thorax OLD HOUSE BORER 1.Antenna- 1/3 of body length 6.Thorax OLD HOUSE BORER
2.Eyes- 2 7.Petiole- none 2.Eyes- 2 7.Petiole- none
3.Head 8.Abdomen- elongate and flattened 8 3.Head 8.Abdomen- elongate and flattened 8
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- brownish to blackish 4.Legs- 6 9.Color- brownish to blackish
5.Wings- covered, hard elytra 10.Other- covered with short hairs 5.Wings- covered, hard elytra 10.Other- covered with short hairs
Life Cycle Life Cycle
Females lay 150-200 eggs in any cracks or crevices they can find in wood. They especially like Females lay 150-200 eggs in any cracks or crevices they can find in wood. They especially like
piles of lumber. In 2-3 weeks, the eggs will hatch. The larvae will feed on sapwood where they piles of lumber. In 2-3 weeks, the eggs will hatch. The larvae will feed on sapwood where they
remain for 2-10 years, depending upon the moisture content of the wood, completely destroy- remain for 2-10 years, depending upon the moisture content of the wood, completely destroy-
ing whatever they infest. They become pupa for about two weeks. The adults remain in the old 4 ing whatever they infest. They become pupa for about two weeks. The adults remain in the old 4
larval tunnels for another 7-10 months, emerge, mate, and then quickly die off in two weeks or larval tunnels for another 7-10 months, emerge, mate, and then quickly die off in two weeks or
less. The life cycle will be completed in 3-10 years. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR less. The life cycle will be completed in 3-10 years. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

OLD HOUSE BORER OLD HOUSE BORER
Actual size 1” Actual size 1”
This beetle can cause great structural damage, and it will re-infest the same wood after it This beetle can cause great structural damage, and it will re-infest the same wood after it
emerges. Despite the name, it will be found in old and new housing, and can spread fairly rap- emerges. Despite the name, it will be found in old and new housing, and can spread fairly rap-
idly. Normally it is found in attic and roof timbers, but it can also spread to framing and flooring, idly. Normally it is found in attic and roof timbers, but it can also spread to framing and flooring,
going after any softwoods. Females are about an inch long, the males are only half that size. going after any softwoods. Females are about an inch long, the males are only half that size.
Both are grayish or brownish black in color. Both are grayish or brownish black in color.

1.Antenna- very long 6.Thorax- has spines on outside PALO VERDE BORER 1.Antenna- very long 6.Thorax- has spines on outside PALO VERDE BORER
2.Eyes- compound 7.Petiole- none 2.Eyes- compound 7.Petiole- none
3.Head- with large mandibles 8.Abdomen- large 3.Head- with large mandibles 8.Abdomen- large
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- dark brown 8 4.Legs- 6 9.Color- dark brown 8
5.Wings- covered, hard elytra 10.Other- extremely large beetle 5.Wings- covered, hard elytra 10.Other- extremely large beetle

Life Cycle Life Cycle
Female beetles lay eggs in the soil underneath Palo Verde (or other host) trees. Female beetles lay eggs in the soil underneath Palo Verde (or other host) trees.
When they hatch, the larvae burrow into the tree roots, sometimes consum- 3 When they hatch, the larvae burrow into the tree roots, sometimes consum- 3
ing the entire root. The larvae then go through three stages, increasing in size ing the entire root. The larvae then go through three stages, increasing in size
each time. Adults emerge from an exit hole and complete the approximately each time. Adults emerge from an exit hole and complete the approximately
three-year life cycle, dying shortly after the mating and egg-laying process is 4 three-year life cycle, dying shortly after the mating and egg-laying process is 4
completed. Photo by Brian Rineberg completed. Photo by Brian Rineberg
Corky’s Pest Control
Corky’s Pest Control
PALO VERDE BORER Actual size up to 4” PALO VERDE BORER Actual size up to 4”
The larvae of these beetles (Genus derobrachus) have been devastating to Palo Verde trees in many The larvae of these beetles (Genus derobrachus) have been devastating to Palo Verde trees in many
areas of Arizona, especially around Tucson. They can actually infest many other varieties of trees, not areas of Arizona, especially around Tucson. They can actually infest many other varieties of trees, not
just their namesake type, going after trees that are stressed from lack of water. just their namesake type, going after trees that are stressed from lack of water.

The first sign of an infestation is one branch of the tree dying, followed shortly by another. The larvae The first sign of an infestation is one branch of the tree dying, followed shortly by another. The larvae
look like grubs, but can be huge—up to four inches long! The Palo Verde Beetle itself is usually about look like grubs, but can be huge—up to four inches long! The Palo Verde Beetle itself is usually about
3-4 inches long with very long antennae, but it can sometimes reach six inches in size. It will often be 3-4 inches long with very long antennae, but it can sometimes reach six inches in size. It will often be
mistaken for some type of giant cockroach. It is most active during summer evenings, emerging in June mistaken for some type of giant cockroach. It is most active during summer evenings, emerging in June
and July. and July.
Note that Round Headed, Long Horned, Old House, New House, and Palo Verde borers are all from the Note that Round Headed, Long Horned, Old House, New House, and Palo Verde borers are all from the
family Cerambycidae. family Cerambycidae.

130 122