Duration of Life-Cycle of the Death-Watch Beetle

Abstract

So far as published accounts record, the death-watch beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum, De G.) has never been bred in the laboratory and no study has, therefore, been possible of the factors affecting its development and the duration of its life-cycle. In discussing the treatment of timber roofs attacked by Xestobium, Lefroy¹ summarised in 1924 the knowledge of the biology of the insect up to that time and pointed out how little was known of its life-histo and habits.