Deathwatch beetle, Xestobium rufovillosum, in historical buildings: monitoring the pest and its predators

Abstract

AbstractTrapping and monitoring experiments were conducted in the roof spaces of four buildings infested with deathwatch beetle, Xestobium rufovillosum de Geer (Coleoptera: Anobiidae). Data from sticky traps and an ultra‐violet insectocutor showed that adult deathwatch beetles were trapped from May to July. The beetles were attracted to natural and UV light, and more beetles were caught on white coloured traps than yellow, blue or red traps. Deathwatch beetles comprised 30–40% of all arthropods caught. The weekly trap catch of all arthropods, including deathwatch beetle, was positively correlated with ambient temperature. Adult beetles flew in buildings at ambient temperatures greater than 17 °C. Arthropods caught in the buildings were categorised as resident, over‐wintering or non‐resident arthropods. Predatory spiders comprised 13% of arthropods caught and the predatory beetle, Korynetes caeruleus de Geer, was found in all four buildings. There was no evidence of other predators or parasitoids of the deathwatch beetle