North Carolina Certified Applicator Termite Practice Exam

The correct answer is the woodborer beetle, which is specifically known for its destructive behavior as a wood-damaging pest. Woodborers are larval stages of various beetles that typically infest and feed on wood, including both hardwoods and softwoods. Their tunneling activity within the wood can compromise structural integrity, leading to significant damage over time.

Unlike woodborers, ladybugs are primarily beneficial insects that help control aphids and other plant pests and do not cause damage to wood. Flea beetles are known for damaging plant leaves rather than wood, as they primarily feed on foliage. Rove beetles, although they can be predators of various pests, do not have the wood-damaging behavior associated with woodborers. Understanding the specific types of insects involved in wood damage is crucial for effective pest management, especially in terms of prevention and treatment strategies for termite and woodborer infestations.