Velvety Powderpost Beetle
Trogoxylon parallelipipedum
This record describes Trogoxylon parallelipipedum (species). Recorded family: Bostrichidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
anterior pronotal angles prominent, acute; post-clypeus rounded, depressed; antennal club abruptly expanded Det. M. A. Quinn, 2012
Wikipedia reference for Trogoxylon parallelipipedum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trogoxylon_parallelipipedum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Bostrichoidea
- Family
- Bostrichidae (Horned Powder-post Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Lyctinae
- Genus
- Trogoxylon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e NA, native to Eurasia - Map
Seasonal Activity
mostly: May-June (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: seasoned hardwood timber; has also been found boring into the trunks of living honey-locust ( Gleditsia triacanthos ) ( 4 ) ; can infest bamboo ( 6 )
Life History
Overwinters as larvae; adults emerge and lay eggs in spring. Adults of the second generation emerge in late summer or fall. Development is completed in 4–5 months in recently sawed logs. ( 6 )
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Trogoxylon parallelipipedum. 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 Velvety Powderpost Beetle (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jim McClarin; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Velvety Powderpost Beetle
What is Velvety Powderpost Beetle?
Velvety Powderpost Beetle (Trogoxylon parallelipipedum) is a species in the family Bostrichidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Velvety Powderpost Beetle?
2.0–4.2 mm
How do you identify Velvety Powderpost Beetle?
anterior pronotal angles prominent, acute; post-clypeus rounded, depressed; antennal club abruptly expanded Det. M. A. Quinn, 2012
Where is Velvety Powderpost Beetle found?
Range: e NA, native to Eurasia - Map
What does Velvety Powderpost Beetle eat?
The diet of the Velvety Powderpost Beetle includes seasoned hardwood timber; has also been found boring into the trunks of living honey-locust ( Gleditsia triacanthos ) ( 4 ) ; can infest bamboo ( 6 ).
When is Velvety Powderpost Beetle active?
Velvety Powderpost Beetle: seasonal activity - mostly: May-June (BG data).
What is the life cycle of a Velvety Powderpost Beetle?
Overwinters as larvae; adults emerge and lay eggs in spring. Adults of the second generation emerge in late summer or fall. Development is completed in 4–5 months in recently sawed logs. ( 6 )