CA BRANCH 3 PRACTICE TEST (WOOD DESTROYING ORGANISMS) (LATEST 2026/2027
UPDATE) 170 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | GRADE A | 100% CORRECT
Question 1
Which family of beetles is commonly referred to as "Metallic Wood Borers"?
A) Lyctidae
B) Anobiidae
C) Buprestidae
D) Bostrichidae
E) Cerambycidae
Correct Answer: C) Buprestidae
Rationale: Flatheaded borers belong to the Buprestidae family. They are often metallic in
color (like the Golden Buprestid) and are known for their flattened, oval-shaped exit holes
and tunnels.
Question 2
Where does a female Flatheaded Beetle (Buprestidae) typically lay her eggs?
A) In the soil near the foundation
B) In crevices of tree bark or wood at the edges of a tree wound
C) Inside termite galleries
D) Directly into seasoned, dry lumber in a crawlspace
E) On the surface of painted wood
Correct Answer: B) In crevices in the tree bark or wood or at the edges of a tree wound.
Rationale: Flatheaded borers typically attack damaged or dying trees. The female seeks out
bark crevices or wounds to deposit eggs; the larvae then bore into the bark and wood.
Question 3
What is a distinguishing characteristic of Flatheaded Borer (Buprestidae) larval galleries?
A) They are perfectly circular and empty
B) They contain liquid excrement
C) They are four or more times wider than they are high and packed with sawdust-like borings
D) They follow the grain of the wood exclusively
E) They are always found in wood with less than 10% moisture
Correct Answer: C) Flat galleries (4 or more times wider than high), tightly packed with
sawdust-like borings and pellets.
Rationale: Buprestid tunnels are flattened and oval. Close examination reveals fine
transverse lines (scars) across the tunnels, and they are packed with frass.
Question 4
Which beetle is known for being highly attracted to forest fires and industrial sites with burning
material?
A) Lyctid Beetle
B) Deathwatch Beetle
C) Flatheaded Borer
, 2
D) Wharf Borer
E) Bark Beetle
Correct Answer: C) Flatheaded Borer
Rationale: Flatheaded borers (Buprestidae) are known to be "smoke chasers," attracted to
the heat and chemicals released by burning wood or forest fires.
Question 5
True or False: Flatheaded Borers (Buprestidae) typically re-infest seasoned wood in buildings.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: B) False
Rationale: Buprestids generally do not re-infest wood in buildings. If they emerge from a
structure, it is usually because they were in the wood prior to it being used in construction.
Question 6
What are the distinguishing features of a Wharf Borer (Oedemeridae)?
A) Metallic green with a red head
B) All black with orange wings
C) Brownish to reddish-yellow with a distinctly contrasting blue-black tail end
D) Tiny, red, and found only in dry attics
E) Round and hairy with long antennae
Correct Answer: C) Brownish to reddish-yellow color with tail-end a distinctly contrasting
blue-black.
Rationale: Wharf borers are easily identified by their yellowish body and the dark blue-
black tip of their abdomen. They also have raised stripes on their backs.
Question 7
Where are Wharf Borers most commonly found?
A) In dry, hardwood flooring
B) In moist, rotting wood in coastal areas like docks or wharves
C) In desert environments
D) In structural members with less than 12% moisture
E) In fruit trees
Correct Answer: B) They infest moist, rotting wood. They are found mostly in coastal areas
in wet wharf wood and docks.
Rationale: Wharf borers require high moisture and rotting wood to survive, making
wharves and damp crawlspaces common locations.
Question 8
What is the primary control method for Wharf Borers?
A) Fumigation with Methyl Bromide
, 3
B) Spraying the entire structure with an aerosol
C) Removing and replacing the wet, rotting wood
D) Increasing the heat in the building to 140 degrees
E) Application of wood-decaying fungi
Correct Answer: C) Remove and replace wet, rotting wood.
Rationale: Because Wharf Borers require excessive moisture and decay, the most effective
treatment is the removal of the conducive condition and the replacement of damaged wood.
Question 9
To which family do the Old House Borer and the Flat Oak Borer belong?
A) Buprestidae
B) Cerambycidae
C) Lyctidae
D) Anobiidae
E) Bostrichidae
Correct Answer: B) The Cerambycidae Family
Rationale: Roundheaded borers belong to the family Cerambycidae. These beetles are
characterized by their long antennae, which often exceed the length of their bodies.
Question 10
Which two Roundheaded Borers (Cerambycidae) are capable of re-infesting dry, seasoned
wood?
A) Golden Buprestid and Wharf Borer
B) Lead Cable Borer and Black Polycaon
C) Old House Borer and Flat Oak Borer
D) Carpenter Bee and Wood Wasp
E) Lyctid and Anobiid
Correct Answer: C) The Old House Borer and the Flat Oak Borer.
Rationale: Most Cerambycids do not re-infest wood in buildings, but the Old House Borer
and Flat Oak Borer are significant exceptions that can cause structural damage over
generations.
Question 11
What are the distinguishing features of Roundheaded Borer (Cerambycidae) larvae?
A) C-shaped with six prominent legs
B) S-shaped with a horny spine on the tail
C) Distinctly segmented, jaws dark brown, and never C-shaped
D) Microscopic and transparent
E) Covered in long, black hairs
Correct Answer: C) They are very distinctly segmented, and NEVER C shaped.
, 4
Rationale: Cerambycid larvae have a large head end (though the head itself is withdrawn)
and are noticeably segmented. They are generally straight-bodied rather than curved.
Question 12
How often must a full inspection be completed for a property covered by a "control service"
agreement?
A) Every year
B) At least once every three years
C) Every 5 years
D) Only when the owner sells the property
E) Once every six months
Correct Answer: B) At least once every three years.
Rationale: According to California Structural Pest Control Board regulations, any property
under a control service agreement for wood-destroying organisms must be fully inspected
at least every three years.
Question 13
What color is the Golden Buprestid?
A) Dull black
B) Bright red
C) Golden-green or Blue-green
D) Translucent white
E) Yellow with black spots
Correct Answer: C) Golden-green or Blue-green.
Rationale: The Golden Buprestid is known for its beautiful, iridescent metallic green or
blue-green color, often with a copper border.
Question 14
True or False: Ambrosia Beetles damage wood in buildings by re-infesting dry, dead wood.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: B) False
Rationale: Ambrosia beetles do not re-infest dead wood. If found in a home, they are
typically escaping from the wood as it dries out; they require living or recently felled
timber to survive.
Question 15
What are the distinguishing features of the Bark Beetle?
A) Metallic blue and 1 inch long
B) Brown, reddish-brown, or black, head concealed from above, elbowed/clubbed antennae
C) Bright yellow with a stinger
UPDATE) 170 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | GRADE A | 100% CORRECT
Question 1
Which family of beetles is commonly referred to as "Metallic Wood Borers"?
A) Lyctidae
B) Anobiidae
C) Buprestidae
D) Bostrichidae
E) Cerambycidae
Correct Answer: C) Buprestidae
Rationale: Flatheaded borers belong to the Buprestidae family. They are often metallic in
color (like the Golden Buprestid) and are known for their flattened, oval-shaped exit holes
and tunnels.
Question 2
Where does a female Flatheaded Beetle (Buprestidae) typically lay her eggs?
A) In the soil near the foundation
B) In crevices of tree bark or wood at the edges of a tree wound
C) Inside termite galleries
D) Directly into seasoned, dry lumber in a crawlspace
E) On the surface of painted wood
Correct Answer: B) In crevices in the tree bark or wood or at the edges of a tree wound.
Rationale: Flatheaded borers typically attack damaged or dying trees. The female seeks out
bark crevices or wounds to deposit eggs; the larvae then bore into the bark and wood.
Question 3
What is a distinguishing characteristic of Flatheaded Borer (Buprestidae) larval galleries?
A) They are perfectly circular and empty
B) They contain liquid excrement
C) They are four or more times wider than they are high and packed with sawdust-like borings
D) They follow the grain of the wood exclusively
E) They are always found in wood with less than 10% moisture
Correct Answer: C) Flat galleries (4 or more times wider than high), tightly packed with
sawdust-like borings and pellets.
Rationale: Buprestid tunnels are flattened and oval. Close examination reveals fine
transverse lines (scars) across the tunnels, and they are packed with frass.
Question 4
Which beetle is known for being highly attracted to forest fires and industrial sites with burning
material?
A) Lyctid Beetle
B) Deathwatch Beetle
C) Flatheaded Borer
, 2
D) Wharf Borer
E) Bark Beetle
Correct Answer: C) Flatheaded Borer
Rationale: Flatheaded borers (Buprestidae) are known to be "smoke chasers," attracted to
the heat and chemicals released by burning wood or forest fires.
Question 5
True or False: Flatheaded Borers (Buprestidae) typically re-infest seasoned wood in buildings.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: B) False
Rationale: Buprestids generally do not re-infest wood in buildings. If they emerge from a
structure, it is usually because they were in the wood prior to it being used in construction.
Question 6
What are the distinguishing features of a Wharf Borer (Oedemeridae)?
A) Metallic green with a red head
B) All black with orange wings
C) Brownish to reddish-yellow with a distinctly contrasting blue-black tail end
D) Tiny, red, and found only in dry attics
E) Round and hairy with long antennae
Correct Answer: C) Brownish to reddish-yellow color with tail-end a distinctly contrasting
blue-black.
Rationale: Wharf borers are easily identified by their yellowish body and the dark blue-
black tip of their abdomen. They also have raised stripes on their backs.
Question 7
Where are Wharf Borers most commonly found?
A) In dry, hardwood flooring
B) In moist, rotting wood in coastal areas like docks or wharves
C) In desert environments
D) In structural members with less than 12% moisture
E) In fruit trees
Correct Answer: B) They infest moist, rotting wood. They are found mostly in coastal areas
in wet wharf wood and docks.
Rationale: Wharf borers require high moisture and rotting wood to survive, making
wharves and damp crawlspaces common locations.
Question 8
What is the primary control method for Wharf Borers?
A) Fumigation with Methyl Bromide
, 3
B) Spraying the entire structure with an aerosol
C) Removing and replacing the wet, rotting wood
D) Increasing the heat in the building to 140 degrees
E) Application of wood-decaying fungi
Correct Answer: C) Remove and replace wet, rotting wood.
Rationale: Because Wharf Borers require excessive moisture and decay, the most effective
treatment is the removal of the conducive condition and the replacement of damaged wood.
Question 9
To which family do the Old House Borer and the Flat Oak Borer belong?
A) Buprestidae
B) Cerambycidae
C) Lyctidae
D) Anobiidae
E) Bostrichidae
Correct Answer: B) The Cerambycidae Family
Rationale: Roundheaded borers belong to the family Cerambycidae. These beetles are
characterized by their long antennae, which often exceed the length of their bodies.
Question 10
Which two Roundheaded Borers (Cerambycidae) are capable of re-infesting dry, seasoned
wood?
A) Golden Buprestid and Wharf Borer
B) Lead Cable Borer and Black Polycaon
C) Old House Borer and Flat Oak Borer
D) Carpenter Bee and Wood Wasp
E) Lyctid and Anobiid
Correct Answer: C) The Old House Borer and the Flat Oak Borer.
Rationale: Most Cerambycids do not re-infest wood in buildings, but the Old House Borer
and Flat Oak Borer are significant exceptions that can cause structural damage over
generations.
Question 11
What are the distinguishing features of Roundheaded Borer (Cerambycidae) larvae?
A) C-shaped with six prominent legs
B) S-shaped with a horny spine on the tail
C) Distinctly segmented, jaws dark brown, and never C-shaped
D) Microscopic and transparent
E) Covered in long, black hairs
Correct Answer: C) They are very distinctly segmented, and NEVER C shaped.
, 4
Rationale: Cerambycid larvae have a large head end (though the head itself is withdrawn)
and are noticeably segmented. They are generally straight-bodied rather than curved.
Question 12
How often must a full inspection be completed for a property covered by a "control service"
agreement?
A) Every year
B) At least once every three years
C) Every 5 years
D) Only when the owner sells the property
E) Once every six months
Correct Answer: B) At least once every three years.
Rationale: According to California Structural Pest Control Board regulations, any property
under a control service agreement for wood-destroying organisms must be fully inspected
at least every three years.
Question 13
What color is the Golden Buprestid?
A) Dull black
B) Bright red
C) Golden-green or Blue-green
D) Translucent white
E) Yellow with black spots
Correct Answer: C) Golden-green or Blue-green.
Rationale: The Golden Buprestid is known for its beautiful, iridescent metallic green or
blue-green color, often with a copper border.
Question 14
True or False: Ambrosia Beetles damage wood in buildings by re-infesting dry, dead wood.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: B) False
Rationale: Ambrosia beetles do not re-infest dead wood. If found in a home, they are
typically escaping from the wood as it dries out; they require living or recently felled
timber to survive.
Question 15
What are the distinguishing features of the Bark Beetle?
A) Metallic blue and 1 inch long
B) Brown, reddish-brown, or black, head concealed from above, elbowed/clubbed antennae
C) Bright yellow with a stinger
