Question
I live in Thailand and have just sawn a large branch from one of my trees as it was dying. There was a 1/2" diameter hole up the middle of the branch and inside was a 3" long white grub with a brown head. Could you tell me what the insect is that laid the egg in the first place so I can look for and dispose of
Thank you
Regards
Nev

Answer
Neville,

Based on your description this is probably the larva of a beetle, possibly a cerambycid (Cerambycidea) or longhorn beetle. This is a diverse family of mostly large beetles with long antennae. Many are wood borers and a few are destructive. However, most of the time when these are found in dead limbs the cause of the branch die-back was NOT the beetle. In other words something else killed the branch and the beetle was taking advantage of this. If you google "cerambycidae" you'll find images and life history.

Jack DeAngelis
http://www.livingwithbugs.com/