Which pest primarily feeds on wood that is damp and decaying?

The correct answer is that wood borers, including powderpost beetles, primarily feed on wood that is damp and decaying. These pests thrive in environments where the wood has a higher moisture content, which is often a result of water damage or decay. The damp conditions not only make the wood softer and more palatable for the larvae, they also support the growth of fungi, which these wood borers use as a food source. As they bore through the wood, they tunnel and create galleries, which can weaken the structural integrity of wooden materials in a home or building.

Termites, while also known for damaging wood, primarily feed on cellulose found in dry wood and are less associated with damp and decaying wood, though they can infest wood with some moisture content. Carpenter ants typically do not feed on wood itself; instead, they excavate nesting sites in wood that may be decayed but do not consume the wood. Other beetles may infest wood, but without specific reference to types such as powderpost beetles, their feeding habits are more generalized and do not strongly indicate a preference for damp conditions.