European house borer

European house borer (Hylotrupes bajulus linnaeus) is a destructive beetle that causes major damage to untreated timer, such as pine, fir and spruce.

Background

The European house borer (EHB) is found in Europe, Turkey, North Africa, South Africa, South America, USA, and China. It can live in a variety of climatic conditions, although its preference is coastal regions.

Infestations have been detected several times in Australia, but these were eradicated by fumigation. In 2004, EHB was found in Perth and was the subject of an unsuccessful eradication program from 2006 to 2010.

The pest is now considered endemic in Western Australia, but restrictions remain in place to stop the spread. Moving pine timber from WA to South Australia is prohibited unless it complies with Condition 4 of the South Australian Plant Quarantine Standard (PQS).

Impacts

EHB can infest coniferous timber in any untreated form – chemically treated timber is less susceptible to damage.

It targets soft wood that is commonly used in Australia for structural and joinery purposes, such as:

  • radiata pine
  • southern pine
  • Douglas fir
  • hoop pine
  • bunya pine.

EHB feeding results in major structural damage to buildings through weakened roof timbers, wall frames, flooring, architraves, and door frames. It can affect timber articles such as pine furniture, shipping crates and pallets, as well as dead trees, logs or dried branches within living trees.

EHB commonly spreads through the interstate movement of infested timber and products.

Providing their food source is not exhausted, adult EHB beetles will only travel small distances. However, they are strong fliers and can cover a considerable distance if needed.

Identification

Adult EHBs are approximately 18 to 25mm long, with antennae half as long as the body. The beetles are brownish-black with a flattened appearance. Their wings are black and may have distinctive white patches. Behind the head are 2 black, shiny knobs that look like eyes.

The larvae are rarely seen as they hide in tunnels in the wood. They can grow up to 4cm in length and are creamy-white in colour with a rippled body and enlarged head.

EHB can be difficult to see in host material as the signs may not occur for years after infestation.

Damage is caused by the larvae boring galleries within the wood, but borers rarely break through the timber surface. Check for:

  • frass, a mixture of wood dust and droppings, often found on the floor below infested timber where adult beetles have emerged from holes
  • oval-shaped holes in timber of 5 to 10mm in length, running with the grain on the wood surface
  • adult beetles, larvae inside timber, and eggs laid in cracks and crevices
  • soft scraping sounds made as the larvae feed, most likely heard when it is quiet at night, and can be audible from a distance.

Adult European house borer beetle
Adult European house borer beetle
Exit holes in tree caused by EHB
Exit holes in tree caused by EHB
EHB larvae
EHB larvae

More information

  • EHB information from WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

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Suspected plant diseases, exotic pests, or noxious weeds must be reported immediately.

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Page last reviewed: 20 Sep 2023

 


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