Oak Timberworm
Arrenodes minutus
This record describes Arrenodes minutus (species). Recorded family: Brentidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
snout is broad in males, long & narrow in females ♂ ♀ comes to lights
Wikipedia reference for Arrenodes minutus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrenodes_minutus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Brentidae (Primitive Weevils)
- Subfamily
- Brentinae
- Tribe
- Brentini
- Genus
- Arrenodes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Deciduous forests, under bark (esp. of oaks)
Geographic Range
e NA (NS-FL to ON-ND-TX) - Map
Seasonal Activity
mostly: May-Aug (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Females lay eggs in living trees where sapwood exposed by injury; larvae bore into wood beneath Females lay 1 egg at a time, drilling a hole for each. This is a pain staking process and can take several hours. Male jaws are not designed for drilling but they have been known to stand guard while the female drills. Larva take 2-3 years to develop. Pupation in gallery near exit Males are territorial and guard egg-laying females
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Arrenodes minutus ( Drury 1770)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Arrenodes minutus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oak Timberworm
What is Oak Timberworm?
Oak Timberworm (Arrenodes minutus) is a species in the family Brentidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Oak Timberworm?
♀7-14 mm, ♂7-22 mm
How do you identify Oak Timberworm?
snout is broad in males, long & narrow in females ♂ ♀
Where is Oak Timberworm found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Deciduous forests, under bark (esp. of oaks) |
| Range | e NA (NS-FL to ON-ND-TX) - Map |
When is Oak Timberworm active?
Oak Timberworm: seasonal activity - mostly: May-Aug (BG data).
What is the life cycle of a Oak Timberworm?
Females lay eggs in living trees where sapwood exposed by injury; larvae bore into wood beneath Females lay 1 egg at a time, drilling a hole for each. This is a pain staking process and can take several hours. Male jaws are not designed for drilling but they have been known to stand guard while the female drills. Larva take 2-3 years to develop. Pupation in gallery near exit Males are territorial and guard egg-laying females