Powderpost beetles (family Lyctidae) are among the most economically destructive wood-boring insects in the United States. Their name comes from their ability to reduce the interior of hardwood to a fine, flour-like powder while leaving the surface nearly intact — the first visible sign of infestation is often a shower of fine frass from tiny exit holes. In Arizona, Lyctus species attack seasoned hardwoods with high starch content: oak flooring, bamboo, hickory, ash, walnut, and imported hardwood furniture are all prime targets. The adult beetles are small (1/16–1/4 inch), reddish-brown to dark brown, and cylindrical. Females lay eggs in the pores of unfinished hardwood; larvae tunnel through the wood for one to five years before emerging as adults through round exit holes about 1/32 inch in diameter. Infestations often originate in lumber yards, furniture factories, or antique shops and are brought into homes in new flooring, cabinetry, or furniture. Repeated generations can completely destroy structural and decorative hardwood over time.