Wood is the most versatile raw material used by man, playing a major role in the development of civilization: tools, boats and land transportation, musical instruments and buildings, furniture and paper, are some of its numerous applications. Any of them can be destroyed or significantly devalued by woodworms.

The large woodworm (hilotrupes bajulus, L.) is one of the most important woodcutters, in some southern European countries including Portugal. In buildings it is often located in the wooden structure of the roof, the large woodworm often becomes identifiable only after serious damage to the wood;

in fact, since the roof space is rarely visited, this means that the extent of damage must always be determined by an expert, since some beams may have to be replaced or reinforced due to the decrease in resistance caused by the galleries opened by the larvae. of the insect.

The most representative small weevils among us are: Anobium punctatum, De Geer and Lictus sp.

Anobium punctatum is a species of xylophagus, which attacks wood in buildings, or furniture, usually after wood is applied. The anobio’s preference is for the old wood, it is rare, in fact, that the wood is attacked by the anobio with less than 20 years on its cut.