Fungal-decay-associate
Guides
Xestobium rufovillosum
Deathwatch Beetle
Xestobium rufovillosum, commonly known as the deathwatch beetle, is a wood-boring beetle native to Europe that has been introduced to North America. The species is notorious for infesting structural timbers in historic buildings, particularly oak. Adults produce a distinctive rhythmic tapping sound by striking their heads against wood, which functions as a mating signal. The beetle requires wood that has been partially decayed by fungi and cannot attack sound, dry timber.