Larder beetle
Description
A black beetle, Dermestes lardarius, that has a distinctive yellow band across the base of its wing. The universally found larder beetle larvae feed on animal matter, including Leather, Fur, feathers, Horn, and carcasses. The larvae may also damage to Cellulose materials. The adult insects are 7 to 9 mm long and have a life span of up to 1.5 years. The brownish-yellow larvae have a fine line down the center of its abdomen. The larvae can grow to 12 mm in length. The larval period lasts from 15 to 80 days.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Dermestes lardarius
Additional Information
º MuseumPests.net: Larder Beetle
Additional Images
Larder beetle
Larder beetle
Larder beetle
Authority
- Lynda A. Zycherman, J.Richard Schrock, A Guide to Museum Pest Control, FAIC and Association of Systematics Collections, Washington DC, 1988
- Rosalie Rosso King, Textile Identification, Conservation, and Preservation, Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985