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What is a woodworm?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

November 12, 2003

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.

Killer Picks: Chateau Anjou Demi-Desk—>Click here.

Charles II Armchair, Abbotsford House Victorian Sofa, San Giacomo Side Table—>Click here.

Sir Benedict's Library Table, Swan Fainting Couch, Historic Monk's Bench—>Click here.

La VoÛte Grande Crescent Mahogany Executive Desk—>Click here.

The woodworm (Anobium punctatum (De Geer)) is a recycler, it is found in temperate zones worldwide. In the wild, it tunnels through dry standing wood. With repeated generations, the tiny tunnels meet and merge eventually converting solid wood to a sponge-like appearance. The wood's structure is weakened, fungi and bacteria find their way in, and the wood is reduced to nutrients for use by other organisms. Once the wood begins to decay though, woodworm is no longer attracted to it.

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Woodworm is more at-home living in our homes and public buildings than living in the forest. It is relatively rare in the wild, the insect benefits from human habitation. The insect cannot enter wood through the bark nor can it use wood that is too wet or infested by fungi. It vastly prefers well-seasoned wood—floor beams, rafters, tables, cabinets, cherished antique chairs, frames around paintings, and even cellos and violins.

The woodworm is a grub, the larval stage of the tiny furniture beetle. Damage to furniture or structural lumber is seldom noticed until emergence holes appear on the surface. The almost cylindrical beetles leave the wood to move on and mate. The adults do not eat and only live a few weeks. The females lay pearly oval eggs in groups of twos or fours in cracks or crevices on dry lumber or at a joint in furniture. In all, a single female may oviposit up to fifty or so eggs. ("Furniture Beetle, Anobium punctatum (De Geer)", Wood-Destroying Insects and Fungi, Walter Ebeling, UC-Riverside.)

The larvae hatch a week to a month after the eggs are laid. They feed inside the wood for up to four years, forming the tunnels usually along the grain. The gut of the larva secretes an enzyme, cellulase that breaks down cellulose into usable sugars (energy).

Before the larva can begin feeding, it must eat part of its egg shell. The shell has a yeast on it deposited by the female beetle. The symbiotic yeast in the larva's gut is thought to convert cellulose into proteins necessary for the growth and development of the beetle. ("Insect: Anobium punctatum" Forest and Timber Insects in New Zealand No. 32.)


David Kendall of Kendall Bioresearch Associates has posted information on wood-boring beetles including Anobium punctatum. To view a photograph of the beetle and typical damaged lumber, click on the link:

http://www.kendall-bioresearch.co.uk/woodworm.htm

Scroll down to view photographs.

 

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

 

Suggested Reading:

What is a woodworm? Renfield's Garden - November 12, 2003
What are ambrosia galleries? Renfield's Garden - November 5, 2003
What hardwood tree has no growth rings? Weird Plants - July 11, 2002
What is the Forest of Violins? Plants that Changed History - November 11, 2003

Killer Savings Links:

Breck's Bulbs -$25 off—>Click here.

Gurney's Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.

Henry Fields Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.

Spring Hill Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.

Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.

Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.

 

Unique Professionally Designed Gardens

Springhill Nursery®

Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you.  Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

Chateau Anjou Demi-Desk

Chateau Anjou Demi-Desk

Our early 18th century French antique replica is sized for versatility and boasts a sliding desktop for added writing space. Of handcarved mahogany, it features two shelved cabinets and drawers for storage, flanking a space for display. It's rich authentic period details take a team to complete this signature piece of furniture art. Ships in 2 pieces. 39"Wx26"Dx54"H. 100 lbs.


  Chateau Anjou Demi-Desk
Charles II Armchair

Charles II Armchair

Since the 1700s, European castles have filled their massive halls with elaborately carved chairs like our exclusive replica. Picture today's highly skilled craftsmen, like those 300 years ago, carving a single, solid mahogany chair by hand--you'll soon realize why it is wrought with ornate beauty! A hand-rubbed finish and a multi-colored coat of arms jacquard tapestry, upholstered on front and back, give it all the authenticity of a fine period antique. See additional views for upholstery color swatch. Call for free fabric swatches at 1-800-525-5141. (with arms) 22"Wx21"Dx44½"H. 25 lbs.


  Charles II Armchair
Abbotsford House Victorian Sofa

Abbotsford House Victorian Sofa

The deep-seated comfort of this stately sofa lies in its 8-way hand tied suspension, covered in exquisite double-welted quality jacquard upholstery in the color of scarlet flora atop light green vines and set against a tan background. Taking two weeks to handcarve in solid mahogany, from the gracefully arching legs and arms to the intricately stylized nobleman at its crown, this expansive reproduction sofa is true Victorian style. See additional views for upholstery color swatch. 60"Wx27"Dx41"H. 85 lbs.


  Abbotsford House Victorian Sofa
San Giacomo Side Table

San Giacomo Side Table

Originally used to store cigars, this ingenious work of furniture art is so perfectly sized that it will be at home almost anywhere! Like the original antique, our exclusive, solid mahogany table sits atop cabriole legs and features 2 drawers and a single shelf behind a hinged door ready to guard your treasures. Bedside or in a drawing room, you'll appreciate this replica English antique for its quality ornate hand-carving, a distinctive feature of the Baroque style. 16"Wx16"Dx34"H. 28 lbs.


  San Giacomo Side Table
Sir Benedict's Library Table

Sir Benedict's Library Table

Almost five full feet of ornately hand-carved stylized lions, acanthus leaves and ornate turnings embellish everything from the balustrade's gadroons to the half-foot-wide apron on this Design Toscano signature piece! Requiring well over a week of skilled hand-carving to create, this grande-scale investment in historic furniture art is a celebration of the decorative architecture of the Renaissance. Whether it serves in the library, entry or office, our solid hardwood piece is stylishly distinctive. Simple assembly required. 60"Wx28"Dx30"H. 93 lbs.


  Sir Benedict's Library Table
Swan Fainting Couch (Left Version) (Shown Here)

Swan Fainting Couch (Left Version) (Shown Here)

Just as fashionable today as when Victorian ladies "swooned" on similar styles a century ago, our exclusive replica couch with 8-way hand-tied suspension sends an upscale decorating message. Richly hand-rubbed mahogany recreates a finely aged piece. Upholstered in a beautifully textured golden wheat colored brocade jacquard fabric on front and back with a detached pillow roll, the hand-carved mahogany back boasts a swan motif. Each approx. 73"Wx28"Dx34"H. 40 lbs.


  Swan Fainting Couch
Historic Mahogany Monk's Bench

Historic Mahogany Monk's Bench

Our favorite English antique dealer agreed to have this stunning medieval Monk's Bench reproduced for us complete with all its rich, handcarved details. Clergy members used it to store vestments before the advent of closets. Both stylish and functional, this heavyweight, high-back bench with carved panels, provides seating for two, and deep storage for items such as fine linens, books or treasures from a bygone era. For authentic character, it takes over two weeks to hand carve and hand-finish the solid mahogany to replicate the original antique. A Toscano exclusive. 48"Wx21"Dx48"H. 90 lbs.


  Sir Benedict's Library Table
La VoÛte Grande Crescent Mahogany Executive Desk

La VoÛte Grande Crescent Mahogany Executive Desk

With a rich, natural, solid mahogany grain radiating from its center like a sunburst, our impressively sculptural executive desk glows as a six-foot expanse of pure drama. This heirloom work of furniture art demands its due as a true statement piece, with bowers of acanthus stretching across the 6½-inch apron, and rich barley twist edging that's impossible to ignore. Our most experienced wood carvers work well over a week to add the half-dozen cabriolet legs, the center drawer and the rich embellishments that adorn all sides of this luxurious executive desk. Our Toscano-exclusive investment in furniture art is a dramatic focal point for a luxury lifestyle. See Additional Views for details. 76½"Wx37"Dx31"H. 121 lbs.


  La VoÛte Grande Crescent Mahogany Executive Desk
    
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