“What is this yellow worm that was found in dead mesquite wood when turning it on a lathe?” asks this reader about the wide-headed, worm-like creature pictured below. “It was about one inch long. There were probably 20 of these in a piece of wood, about one square foot big . The wood came from central Texas.” To start with, we want to thank our reader for the excellent photo she sent in, as well as the context; both of these factors together greatly contribute to making our job easier. With this information in hand, we can more efficiently identify the creatures we are asked about and answer the questions that our readers have!

So, to answer our reader’s question, the yellow worm in the photo is a wood boring beetle larva, specifically a flat-headed borer larva. These guys are the larvae of a family of beetles known as jewel beetles (Buprestidae). They are named after their beautiful, iridescent, colorful shells. Unfortunately, despite their aesthetic appeal, they are not the most desirable bug to find in your home, as they can cause a lot of damage to the wooden structures they infest. Their larvae look exactly like the one in the photo, and their special shape makes them instantly identifiable.

There really isn’t just one type of wooden item in the home these guys can attack. They will get in the floors, in the foundations, in furniture, and wooden beams: you name it. They leave behind holes in the wood as they tunnel through it, as well as frass, which is essentially sawdust (minus the saw). Now, our reader did not specify if the “dead mesquite wood” was part of any item or fixture in her home, but if this was in her home, then we recommend she check the rest of her home for signs of infestation. If she discovers that her home is infested, or she is worried about it, she should contact a professional to deal with the issue. Infestations should not go untreated, as they can last indefinitely otherwise: even the larvae may take years to mature, in which time they can do a lot of damage.

In conclusion, the yellow worms our reader found in the dead wood are wood boring beetle larvae, specifically flat-headed borer larvae. They are not harmful to humans or pets, but they can cause serious damage to wooden items in the home. We hope this helps, and we wish her the very best.

Summary

Article Name

Yellow Worm in Dead Wood is a Wood Boring Beetle Larva

Description

"What is this yellow worm that was found in dead mesquite wood when turning it on a lathe?" asks this reader about the wide-headed, worm-like creature pictured below. "It was about one inch long. There were probably 20 of these in a piece of wood, about one square foot big . The wood came from central Texas." To start with, we want to thank our reader for the excellent photo she sent in, as well as the context; both of these factors together greatly contribute to making our job easier. With this information in hand, we can more efficiently identify the creatures we are asked about and answer the questions that our readers have!

Author

Worm Researcher Anton