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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Polyphaga » Series Cucujiformia » Longhorn and Leaf Beetles (Chrysomeloidea) » Longhorn Beetles (Cerambycidae) » Cerambycinae » Phoracanthini » Eucalyptus Borer (Phoracantha) » Phoracantha semipunctata
Photo#367436
Grooves under bark - Phoracantha semipunctata
Copyright © 2010 John Callender

Grooves under bark - Phoracantha semipunctata
Carpinteria Bluffs, Carpinteria, CA, Santa Barbara County, California, USA
January 23, 2010
I noticed these grooves in the bark of a fallen log. They had been exposed by the weathering away of the tree's bark. The tree in question is a eucalyptus; I believe it's probably a Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus). I'm curious what might have produced them. I noticed that the grooves themselves seemed to cover a large range in size. Were many smaller ones (~5mm in width), as well as a few larger ones (~1.5cm in width). I have my fingers in a couple of the photos for scale.

Any ideas?

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Contributed by John Callender on 27 January, 2010 - 10:22am
Last updated 3 March, 2017 - 3:39pm

Moved
Moved from Beetles.
… John R. Maxwell, 29 January, 2010 - 4:23pm login or register to post comments

i alerted Dr Atkinson -- let's wait for his input
Moved from ID Request.
… v belov, 28 January, 2010 - 9:53am login or register to post comments

I agree...
that there at least seem to be some scolytines mixed in here--in the upper left the galleries appear to radiate from a central area. Maybe Thomas Atkinson (1) can tell us what species would do this in eucalyptus.
… Charley Eiseman, 28 January, 2010 - 8:49am login or register to post comments

Looks like the work
of Bark Beetles of some kind--or rather the larvae of bark beetles. The adult beetle laid eggs toward the center of the "design" and the larvae ate their way outward, creating ever wider galleries as they grew.

Since you've identified the host tree, someone may be able to tell you exactly what kind of beetle you've got.
… Ken Wolgemuth, 27 January, 2010 - 10:41am login or register to post comments

 
Non-native?
Since the tree is an introduced species it is likely that the beetle is also a non-native. I hope that we find out soon.
… Beatriz Moisset, 27 January, 2010 - 10:46am login or register to post comments

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