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Integrated Pest Management · Agriculture and Natural Resources

University of California

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  • Homes, Gardens, Landscapes, and Turf >
  • Invertebrate pests >
  • Beetles

Tree-boring beetles

Ips bark beetle

Ips bark beetle.

Flatheaded borer larva

Flatheaded borer larva.

Eucalyptus longhorned borer

Eucalyptus longhorned borer.

Beetles that bore into tree branches, twigs and trunks include bark beetles, flatheaded borers and longhorned borers. In each case, adults lay eggs on or in wood, and larvae feed within the wood, usually making distinctive tunnel patterns called galleries.

Tree borers (general)

Bark beetles (general)

  • Common bark beetles
  • Shothole borer
  • Walnut twig beetle

Flatheaded borers

  • Pacific flatheaded borer
  • Goldspotted oak borer

Roundheaded (longhorned) borers

  • Eucalyptus longhorned borer
  • Asian longhorned beetle

Other borers

  • Branch and twig borers (grapes)
  • Branch and twig borers (trees and shrubs)
  • Lead cable borer
  • Poplar and willow borer
  • Red palm weevil

En español

  • Los Barrenadores (Woodborers)
  • Escarabajo descortezador (Bark beetles)

related or similar pests

More tree borers can be found in Caterpillars.