Which of the following is NOT a wood-destroying beetle?

The carpenter bee is not classified as a wood-destroying beetle, distinguishing it from the other options listed. While carpenter bees create cavities in wood for nesting, they do not consume the wood in the same way that true wood-destroying beetles do. Instead, they excavate tunnels for their brood, which might lead to structural damage, but their behavior is more about nesting than wood consumption.

In contrast, the other insects mentioned are all true wood-destroying beetles. The deathwatch beetle, powder post beetle, and furniture beetle all have larvae that feed on wood, causing damage and deterioration to wooden structures and items. This fundamental difference in behavior and impact on wood is what makes the carpenter bee the correct response to the question, highlighting its classification apart from the wood-destroying life cycles and feeding habits of the others. Understanding these distinctions is pivotal in pest management and wood preservation practices.