Adults are dark brown to black. The head is bent downward, and the antennae are hidden.
Development. The female chews a gallery into the outer layer of wood in the host tree. Eggs are laid in secondary tunnels at right angles to the main gallery. Larvae feed on fungi growing on the walls of the tunnel. Larval development is completed in about 30 days. Adults emerge from the tree through the original entrance hole made by the female.
Habits. Damage is done to recently cut trees, including hardwoods and softwoods.
When wood is cut for structures, the dark-stained galleries of a previous Ambrosia beetle infestation may be seen. Pine construction timbers often have stained galleries of this beetle.