Tunnel Beetle vs Kermes Scale
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tunnel Beetle | Kermes Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lymexylon navale | Kermes vermilio |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Lymexylidae | Kermesidae |
| Size | 7-16mm | 3-6 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tunnel Beetle
A slender cylindrical beetle whose larvae bore straight tunnels through oak timber. Historically damaged ship timber.
Did You Know?
Was a major pest of oak shipbuilding timber, boring tunnels that weakened the hulls of wooden warships.
Kermes Scale
Source of kermes dye, one of the oldest known red dyes. Used since ancient Egyptian and Roman times. The word "crimson" derives from the Arabic word for kermes.
Did You Know?
The English word "crimson" comes from the Arabic "qirmiz" meaning kermes — this insect dye has colored royal robes and religious vestments for over 3,000 years.