They found this spectacular evidence of insect pest damage caused by what I believe to be a deathwatch beetle:
 |
| The beetle has really chewed through the text block. They like damp environments and mould damaged timber, so this volume must have been kept in a damp place at some point (n.b. it's not here anymore!). |
 |
| It is possible to see right through the pages! Deathwatch beetles leave holes that are much wider than those of woodworms. Woodworm damage is narrower and appears more like round holes or narrow tunnels through the text block. |
 |
| You can see how someone has attempted to repair the damage by removing the damaged text and pasting in blank pages. I think that's probably caused more damage! |
 |
| Thankfully the beetle either got bored or too fat to continue through the volume to the wonderful plates at the end. |
 |
| This is the title page, again with fresh paper pasted in behind the holes. |
Insects only eat at their larval stage, so it's funny to imagine little grubs burrowing their way through the book.
