RES Handbook Vol 5 Part 15. Coleoptera. Scolytidae and Platypodidae

"BARK beetles* are of major economic importance and world-wide distribution. Well over 2000 species are known, of which about 60 are British. Some of these have only recently become established, and the possibility exists that others may do so in the future. These beetles are well adapted to a subcortical existence and, although they are mainly wood-feeders, some species (e .g., Thamnurgus) are known to infest stems of herbaceous plants, woody creepers and even seeds and cones. A few species attack only seasoned wood and are frequently destructive to casks and barrels.