Lead Cable Borer
Scobicia declivis
This record describes Scobicia declivis (species). Recorded family: Bostrichidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Forestry Images may attack newly painted houses, wine casks, hardwood paneling, and flooring. Attacks on asphalt roofing and lead cables may be linked to local forest fires, particularly in stands of oak, where the beetle occurs in large numbers
Identification notes
Forestry Images
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Bostrichoidea
- Family
- Bostrichidae (Horned Powder-post Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Bostrichinae
- Tribe
- Xyloperthini
- Genus
- Scobicia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Pacific Coast from BC to CA - Map , mostly Calif., but occasional reports from more eastern locations
Seasonal Activity
Most activity Jun-Aug, when beetles emerge in large numbers; damage usually occurs later, when moisture enters the cables, causing short circuits
Diet and Behavior
Diet: normally infests seasoned oak, but also many other hardwoods
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: common name refers of adults boring through lead sheathing of aerial telephone cables
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Scobicia declivis. 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.
Photos of Lead Cable Borer (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Lead Cable Borer
What is Lead Cable Borer?
Lead Cable Borer (Scobicia declivis) is a species in the family Bostrichidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Lead Cable Borer?
5–6 mm
How do you identify Lead Cable Borer?
Forestry Images
Where is Lead Cable Borer found?
Range: Pacific Coast from BC to CA - Map , mostly Calif., but occasional reports from more eastern locations
What does Lead Cable Borer eat?
The diet of the Lead Cable Borer includes normally infests seasoned oak, but also many other hardwoods.
When is Lead Cable Borer active?
Lead Cable Borer: seasonal activity - Most activity Jun-Aug, when beetles emerge in large numbers; damage usually occurs later, when moisture enters the cables, causing short circuits.