Death watch beetle  (Xestobium rufovillosum)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

The larvae of this common beetle are notorious pests of furniture and structural timbers in buildings (3). The adults have cylindrical bodies and small heads (2). The common name refers to the repeated ticking sound produced by the adults as they bang their heads against the wood, possibly to attract a mate. When heard at night, this eerie mating call was once thought to count down to the time of death (4).

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