Definition

Noun: - Family Anobiidae: A taxonomic family of small beetles, commonly known as deathwatch beetles, within the order Coleoptera. Members of this family are typically wood-boring insects, and some species are known for the tapping sound they produce, historically associated with superstitions about impending death.

Usage

• The term is used in formal, scientific contexts such as entomology, biology, and pest control to classify and discuss this specific group of beetles.
• Example: "An infestation of family Anobiidae can cause significant structural damage to timber in historic buildings."

Advanced Usage

• In taxonomic hierarchy, "Family Anobiidae" is a precise classification. The common name "deathwatch beetle" typically refers to species within the genera or .
• Example: "The study focused on the larval development patterns within the family Anobiidae."

Variants and Related Words

• Anobiidae: The standard form, often used without "family" in scientific literature.
• Deathwatch beetle(s): The common name for the most well-known members of this family.
• Anobiid (noun/adjective): A member of the Anobiidae family; pertaining to this family.
  • Example (adjective): "The anobiid larvae were extracted from the oak beam."

Synonyms

• Deathwatch beetles (common name).
• Woodworm (a general, non-scientific term for the larval stage of various wood-boring beetles, which can include anobiids).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• The deathwatch ticking: An idiom or literary allusion stemming from the beetle's sound, symbolizing doom, decay, or the passage of time.
  • Example: "In the silence of the old house, he felt as if he could hear the deathwatch ticking."

Noun

1. deathwatch beetles