I saw these curious patterns on a large piece of driftwood washed onto the beach at Osmington Bay. It was partly charred but most noticeable on it were these stripey markings. I thought they had a certain abstract and graphic quality – artistic even.
A closer examination revealed that they were the remains of tunnels created by beetle larvae eating their way along under the bark of the dead tree. Where some bark survived, there were neat bore-holes showing the place that the newly adult insects had emerged.
I am not sure what sort of beetle was responsible for these particular burrows but I’ve read that certain terrestrial Staphylinid Rove Beetles of the Bledus genus rely on sea-soaked timber on the seashore for laying their eggs.
Revision of a post first published 19 June 2009
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Jessica's Nature Blog 
What beautiful calligraphy you’ve discovered Jessica! It reminds me a bit of some I found on a tree trunk in the woods here (http://flandrumhill.wordpress.com/2009/05/02/natures-calligraphy/)
Why do we humans think we’re the only ones with artistic skills?
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It is wonderful how many animals and plants create exquisite patterns or are themselves arranged in regular and lovely designs – as you have shown on your own site through your lovely paintings. I especially seek out patterns and designs in nature for my photographs, and also the way that abstract ‘works of art’ are created accidentally in nature.
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