Bugg-er! Insect hole in resawn Oak.

[p111dom]

I was resawing some oak today and I didn't notice this hole till I was pretty much finished the cut.

Here's a finger to give you an idea of size.

Initially I though it must be a nail hole from something pinned to the tree but when I opered the boards I found this.

This bug is very dry and very dead but is also very big at about 3/4 of an inch long. It has a great big set of pincers at the front. There's no evidence of any more in this or any other board but since I've not come across this before I've two questions.

a. Does anyone know what it is.

and

b. Should I be worried about it?

 

[jeffinfrance]

i'm interested in knowing the answer to this too.

get loads of big holes in my timber like this. to me it's just a n other wood eating beastie. in my experience though, they dont normally burrow past the sapwood.

jeff

 

[Digit]

Not if it's dead!

Roy.

 

[hanser]

Any idea where the rest of his mates are?

Spoke to a guy in France who stopped me in an isle in one of the DIY sheds. He was looking for timber treatment. The munching from the beasties in the beams kept him awake at night!

 

[p111dom]

Should of said the woods source is east Germany if that makes any difference.

 

[Froggy]

i'm interested in knowing the answer to this too.

get loads of big holes in my timber like this. to me it's just a n other wood eating beastie. in my experience though, they dont normally burrow past the sapwood.

jeff

It's interesting that you say this Jeff, as I was thinking when I saw it '...ah we get loads of these in oak in France'!!

 

[JoinerySolutions]

Looks like a member of the Bostrychid family probably Apate capucina which is known to frequent European Oak. The holes can be 3mm or greater in diameter, generally confined to sapwood (which it looks to be in the pics, a lighter colour timber).

If it's a one of, and dead panic not.

 

[woodbloke]

You've got some nice oak there with lots of juicy sap...which is where your deceased little friend decided to dine out. If you build anything from oak with that amount (or any sap) a similar thing is going to happen sooner or later with some other little beasties...get rid of sap! - Rob

 

[p111dom]

Ok that's good news. Would have been removing the sap anyway. I don't mind a little in the centre of a bookmatched panel as a decorative feature but that's about it.

 

[jimi43]

Looks like he shot out overnight and whizzed through the top of your tablesaw!!! :wink:

Shoot it!!

Jim