Some anobiids infest moist wood containing decay organisms, which appear to aid development of the larvae.
The porosity of the wood, the moisture content, the starch or cellulose content—these also relate to egg laying.
The adults of some species remain on the wood from which they emerge, and reinfest it. Others crawl or fly to similar wood and attack it.
A beetle may lay only a few eggs or as many as 60 or 70; the number depends on the species of beetle and on the condition of the wood.
Infestations in Hardwoods
Seasoned hardwoods.—Beetles that infest seasoned hardwoods lay eggs on or in the wood from which they emerge. Hence the same wood may be infested repeatedly. These beetles do not require bark for egg laying.
Oak board damaged by larvae of the southern lyctus beetle.
Lyctus beetles lay eggs in exposed pores in the sapwood of oak, ash, hickory, walnut, pecan, gum, persimmon, maple, cherry, and a few other hardwood species. The larvae are found in hardwood flooring, furniture, picture frames, and trim.