Random populations of field-collected Xyletinus peltatus (Harris) beetles laid significantly more eggs on yellow-poplar than on any of seven other woods placed in a crawl space beneath a house and in a controlled environment. Egg deposition of random beetle populations when confined to individual woods was generally greatest on woods most often chosen for choice oviposition, but no significant statistical preference was shown for any wood. In tests with beetles collected in copula to ensure equal representation of sexes and that mating had occurred, yellow-poplar was again preferred for egg-laying. Variability in oviposition and fewer eggs per female by beetles collected while mating suggests that these beetles may have mated and laid eggs previously. The third test, with wood of varying ages since tree felling, suggested that beetles prefer at least some woods to be aged and also indicated preference for yellow-poplar. In all three choice experiments beetles showed a significant preference for block undersurfaces for egg-laying; this preference possibly indicated responses to changing ambient light conditions. Egg-laying females appeared to respond first to favored hosts, then to block undersurfaces or oviposition site characteristics. Both host species and wood surface features would affect susceptibility to beetle attack.