They are considered pests and attack deciduous trees, over time reducing the wood to a powdery dust.

The term "powderpost" comes from the fact that the larvae of these beetles feed on wood and, given enough time, can reduce it to a mass of fine powder.

Powderpost beetle larvae spend months or years inside wood while developing, feeding mainly on the starch content.

Powderpost beetles feed on deciduous trees, including certain hardwoods or softwoods depending on the species.

Some hardwoods are naturally immune if they have low starch content or if their pore diameters are too small for the female beetle's ovipositor to lay her eggs in.