Ticbryf / Death watch beetle
- Accession no: W175
- Collection: Casgliad Coed a Phren wedi ei ddifa Prifysgol Bangor / Bangor University Timber and Damaged Wood Collection
- Name: Death watch beetle
- Latin Name: Xestobium rufovillosum
- Collector: R N Chrystal
- Field Collection Place: Llundain / London
- Description: On quiet summer nights, these wood-boring beetles can be heard making a tapping or ticking sound. They are named after the "death watch" that was traditionally kept over the dead or dying, when all was quiet the noise could be heard. Superstition grew that the sound of the beetles was an omen of impending death. The tapping is actually the noise of a beetle banging its head onto the wood to attract a mate.
This sample is part of an original timber damaged by death watch beetle which was taken out of Westminster Hall, London. - Summary Description:
- Copyright: Prifysgol Bangor / Bangor University
