Woodborers in Forest Stands

Abstract Woodborers are an ecologically important guild in forested ecosystems and include Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, and Siricidae. Members of these families contribute to various ecological processes including nutrient cycling and forest succession, and are also important components of food webs. Most woodborers encountered in forests are secondary species that rarely kill trees, however, important invasive species like Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, and Sirex noctilio can have broad ranging impacts on urban, managed, and natural forests. This chapter provides a broad overview of three woodborer families, including information on natural history, abiotic and biotic population regulation factors, ecological roles, chemical ecology, management, and a brief overview of economically important species.