Auger beetles belong to the family Bostrichidae. They are small beetles measuring 6–13 mm in length. For most species in this family when viewed from above, the head cannot be seen because it’s hidden beneath the pronotum.

Adult females bore perfectly round circles and lay their eggs in the moist sapwood. The larvae feed on the starch of the sapwood and pupate near the surface, then would later emerge through the holes. They do not reinfest sapwood after emergence.

Auger beetles are often seen in untreated timber rounds, and sometimes hardwood used for flooring. Cylindrical auger beetles are attracted to wine casks, and when infested may cause spillage. 
The most commonly encountered species of auger beetles are Xylion cylindricus, the cylindrical auger beetle,  Meoxylion collaris, the particoloured auger beetle, and Bostrychopsis jesuita, the large auger beetle. The lesser auger beetle or Heterobostrychus aecqualis is commonly encountered in timber entering the shipping ports of Australia. In event that lesser auger beetles are encountered, it should be immediately reported.