The Common Deathwatch Beetle Xestobium rufovillosum (DeGeer, 1774) as a Pest for Paper in Books
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Joanna Karbowska-Berent
Joanna Karbowska-Berent , Ph.D, biologist in art conservation; she graduated from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland in the field of biology in 1989. She examines the deterioration of cultural heritage items by microorganisms and insects as well as the methods for controlling biodeterioration. She teaches protection of cultural heritage against biodeterioration at the Nicolaus Copernicus University. Her professional interests lie in the field of microorganisms and insects deteriorating paper, parchment, leather and wood as well as in the field of the methods of controlling them. She is the author or the co-author of a few dozen publications.
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Izabela Żołowicz
Izabella Żołowicz – M.A., art conservator; she graduated from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland in the field of conservation and restoration of paper and leather in 2016. Her professional interests focus on the conservation of paintings and prints on paper. Presently she works as a paper conservator in Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświęcim.Elżbieta M. Jabłońska – Ph.D., full professor, art conservator; she graduated from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland in the field of conservation and restoration of paper and leather in 1984. The head of the Department of Paper and Leather Conservation and Restoration, of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń in 2007–2018. The Department is a centre for education, conservation research and conservation in Poland. Prof. Jabłońska has been a promoter of many master’s and diploma thesis. She has accomplished many scientific and professional practices abroad, for instance: in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany. She is author of the whole range of articles printed in periodicals and scientific publications on conservation. She has executed a whole variety of realisations in the field of conservation of historic archival materials on parchment and paper, waxen and lead seals, waxen plates and graphic artworks, books, and paintings. A considerable part of her conservation output constitute copies of manuscripts and prints on paper as well as manuscripts on parchment and waxen seals made for many museums and libraries in Poland.
Abstract
A small repository in a cathedral in Poland, storing severely damaged books, was investigated with regard to insects and fungi. Entomological and microbiological surveys were performed to estimate the extent of the infestation and the microbial deterioration of the books. Most of the books were attacked by insects although to varying degrees. They were damaged by tunnels bored by the larvae and filled with larval faeces. Some living larvae and many dead adult beetles were found in the books or in the frass. The larvae and most of the beetles were identified as the common deathwatch beetle Xestobium rufovillosum (DeGeer, 1774). The development of Xestobium rufovillosum in books is an unusual case and has rarely been mentioned in the literature. Several books in the repository were also covered by microfungi, especially by Chaetomium murorum, Ch. elatum, Myxotrichum chartarum, Stachybotrys atra and Epicoccum nigrum. The temperature in the repository varied, depending on the season of the year (2.6 °C – 26.2 °C), while the relative humidity was high (constantly above 65 %). The concentration of the fungal bioaerosol was very high (4,120 cfu/m3). The article includes a list of recommendations pertaining to the elimination of the microorganisms and insects.
Zusammenfassung
Der gescheckte Nagekäfer Xestobium rufovillosum (DeGeer, 1774) als ein schwerer Papierschädling in Büchern
Das Vorkommen von Insekten und Fadenpilzen wurde in einem kleinen Bibliotheksmagazin eines polnischen Doms, in dem sich stark zerstörte Bücher befanden, untersucht. Die entomologischen und mikrobiologischen Analysen wurden betrieben, um das Ausmaß der Zerstörung zu schätzen. Die meisten Bücher wurden von Insekten angegriffen und waren unterschiedlich stark durch Fraßtunnel zerstört, die von Larven ausgehöhlt und mit ihren Exkrementen befüllt worden waren. Lebende Larven und viele tote, erwachsene Käfer wurden in Büchern und im Holzpulver gefunden. Die Larven und die meisten Käfer wurden als gescheckter Nagekäfer Xestobium rufovillosum (DeGeer, 1774) identifiziert. Die Entwicklung von Xestobium rufovillosum in den Büchern gilt als Ausnahmefall und wird selten in der Fachliteratur erwähnt. Einige Bücher wurden auch durch Schichten von Fadenpilzen, besonders Chaetomium murorum, Ch. elatum, Myxotrichum chartarum, Stachybotrys atra und Epicoccum nigrum flächig bedeckt. Die Temperatur in dem Bibliotheksmagazin wechselte abhängig von der Jahreszeit (2.6 °C–26.2 °C), die relative Luftfeuchtigkeit war hoch (ständig oberhalb von 65 %). Die Konzentration des Pilzaerosols war sehr hoch (4120 KBE/m3). Empfehlungen sollen den Kustoden der Sammlung helfen, die Schädlinge zu beseitigen.
Résumé
La grosse vrillette Xestobium rufovillosum (DeGeer, 1774) comme un ravageur dangereux du papier dans les livres
Dans un petit entrepôt d’une cathédrale en Pologne rassemblant des livres très endommagés, une inspection visuelle a été effectuée pour rechercher la présence d’insectes et de champignons. On a réalisé des tests entomologiques et microbiologiques afin d’estimer l’étendue de l’infestation des livres par les insectes et les micro-organismes. La plupart des livres étaient attaqués par des insectes, à des degrés divers. Ils étaient détruits par des tunnels creusés par les larves et remplis de crottes de larves. Des larves vivantes et de nombreux coléoptères adultes morts ont été trouvés dans les livres ou dans la poudre de bois. Les larves et la majorité des coléoptères ont été identifiés comme appartenant à la grosse vrillette Xestobium rufovillosum (DeGeer, 1774). Le développement de Xestobium rufovillosum dans des livres est un cas exceptionnel et rarement mentionné en littérature. Plus de dizaine de livres de l’entrepôt étaient également abondamment couverts de microchampignons, notamment de Chaetomium murorum, Ch. elatum, Myxotrichum chartarum, Stachybotrys atra et Epicoccum nigrum. La température dans l’entrepôt variait en fonction de la saison de 2,6 °C à 26,2 °C, l’humidité relative de l’air était élevée (constamment supérieure à 65 %). La concentration de l’aérosol fongique était très élevée (4120 ufc/m3). Certains moyens pour éliminer les micro-organismes biodétériogènes ont été recommandés aux responsables de la collection.
About the authors
Joanna Karbowska-Berent, Ph.D, biologist in art conservation; she graduated from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland in the field of biology in 1989. She examines the deterioration of cultural heritage items by microorganisms and insects as well as the methods for controlling biodeterioration. She teaches protection of cultural heritage against biodeterioration at the Nicolaus Copernicus University. Her professional interests lie in the field of microorganisms and insects deteriorating paper, parchment, leather and wood as well as in the field of the methods of controlling them. She is the author or the co-author of a few dozen publications.
Izabella Żołowicz – M.A., art conservator; she graduated from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland in the field of conservation and restoration of paper and leather in 2016. Her professional interests focus on the conservation of paintings and prints on paper. Presently she works as a paper conservator in Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświęcim.
Elżbieta M. Jabłońska – Ph.D., full professor, art conservator; she graduated from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland in the field of conservation and restoration of paper and leather in 1984. The head of the Department of Paper and Leather Conservation and Restoration, of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń in 2007–2018. The Department is a centre for education, conservation research and conservation in Poland. Prof. Jabłońska has been a promoter of many master’s and diploma thesis. She has accomplished many scientific and professional practices abroad, for instance: in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany. She is author of the whole range of articles printed in periodicals and scientific publications on conservation. She has executed a whole variety of realisations in the field of conservation of historic archival materials on parchment and paper, waxen and lead seals, waxen plates and graphic artworks, books, and paintings. A considerable part of her conservation output constitute copies of manuscripts and prints on paper as well as manuscripts on parchment and waxen seals made for many museums and libraries in Poland.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Editorial
- Original Works
- Tracing the Alteration of Verdigris Pigment through Combined Raman Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction, Part I
- The Common Deathwatch Beetle Xestobium rufovillosum (DeGeer, 1774) as a Pest for Paper in Books
- Investigation of Pigments on an Indian Palm Leaf Manuscript (18th – 19th century) by SEM-EDX and other Techniques
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Editorial
- Original Works
- Tracing the Alteration of Verdigris Pigment through Combined Raman Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction, Part I
- The Common Deathwatch Beetle Xestobium rufovillosum (DeGeer, 1774) as a Pest for Paper in Books
- Investigation of Pigments on an Indian Palm Leaf Manuscript (18th – 19th century) by SEM-EDX and other Techniques
