POWDER-POST DAMAGE BY LYCTUS BEETLES. 

 INSECT ENEMIES OF LYCTUS BEETLES. 



17 



There are many insect enemies of powder-post beetles. Among the 

 beetles, species of the famil}' Cleridae are often beneficial in checking 

 the multiplication of Lvctns beetles, the larva? preying on the Lyctus 

 larvse and the adults preying on the Lyctus adults. Other beetles 

 which commonly prey upon the powder-post beetles belong to two 

 other families.^ 



Fig. 13. — Exit holes of small, four-winged, wasplike parasites of Lyctus in powder-posted 

 red oak interior finish. (Original.) 



INIany species of small, four-winged, wasplike parasites have the 

 Lyctus beetles as their hosts. The emergence or exit holes of the 

 adult parasites (fig. 13) are much smaller than those made by the 

 beetles, but are often mistaken for those made by young Lyctus 

 larvse. 



1 Histeridae and Cucujidae. 



