What type of damage is most commonly associated with wood-boring beetles?

Wood-boring beetles are known for their distinctive behavior that causes them to infest and damage wood. The most notable damage they create includes the formation of galleries and exit holes within the wood. These galleries are tunnel-like structures created by the larvae as they feed on the wood, which can weaken the structural integrity of the material.

As the adult beetles emerge from the wood, they create exit holes, often characterized by their small size and round or oval shape, that serve as exits for the adults. The presence of these galleries and exit holes is a clear indication of an infestation and is the primary visual evidence used to diagnose wood-boring beetle activity.

Other options, while they may relate to wood damage in some contexts, are not specifically tied to the activity of wood-boring beetles. For example, loss of wood color and surface staining can occur due to various factors including decay fungi or water damage, but they do not reflect the unique structural changes caused by beetles. Water damage tends to involve moisture-related issues rather than insect activity. Therefore, the correct choice focuses on the hallmark signs of wood-boring beetle infestations: the galleries and exit holes.