How do deathwatch beetles produce their mating signal?

Deathwatch beetles produce their mating signal by striking their heads against a surface, a behavior known as "tapping." This tapping creates a series of knocks that can be transmitted through wood and serves as a form of acoustic communication to attract mates. The sound is particularly effective in their natural habitat, where they often reside within wooden structures, making the vibrations easier for potential mates to detect.

Other methods of communication, such as high-pitched sounds or visual signals like flashing light patterns, are not characteristic of deathwatch beetles. Similarly, while pheromones are a common signaling method in many insects for attracting mates, deathwatch beetles primarily rely on their tapping behavior rather than chemical signals to communicate during mating.