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Nacerdes melanura (Wharf Borer) is a wood-boring beetle whose larvae develop in moist timbers, saturated with fresh or salt water. Adult beetles have emerged from excavated pilings which were driven into the sea and then covered in concrete for many years. It was originally European, but has been spread by commerce all over the world" (Dillon and Dillon 1960; Pitman et al. 2003). The Wharf Borer is abundant in Europe, the northeastern and west coast of North America, and more limited records in interior North America, East Asia, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. For database purposes, we are treating the species as continental in origin, "freshwater-euryhaline', and a 'regular resident' of estuarine-marine habitats, but this beetle is often found in salt-impregnated wood in harbors and on seashores. Adult beetles emerge in spring , and are 9.5-13.5 mm long, and are non-feeding. Larvae take take about a year to develop. The Wharf Borer, as tt names suggests, is an economically important pest for pilings, wooden boats, and waterfront buildings. |