Lymexylon, Elateroides, and Melittomma are pests to forest trees such as chestnut, poplar, and oak, and can be found worldwide.

Some species are parasitic, causing decay in living trees and damaging timber structures such as houses and ships.

Lymexylidae larvae bore into living and decaying wood where they consume the fungus Alloascoidea hylecoeti.

The larvae hatch and subsequently collect some of the spores by remaining close to the egg shells for a period of time, before tunneling further into the wood.

As the fungi require air flow to grow, the larvae ensure the tunnels are free of any debris.