Host selection behaviour of deathwatch beetle, Xestobium rufovillosum: Oviposition preference choice assays testing old vs new oak timber, Quercus sp.

In a choice bio-assay adult female deathwatch beetles were offered two dend rochronologically dated wood blocks from oak timber to study oviposition pr eference behaviour. There was a clear preference for ovipositing on old woo d dating from the 13th to 19th centuries rather than new wood from the 20th century. Control, same-century choice, experiments showed that beetles wil l oviposit on young wood and that the age of the wood does not alter the ov erall oviposition potential. Oviposition frequency varied with insect age. Fecundity of insects collected from an infested building was similar to tha t of insects maintained in culture.